Liam Hemsworth has revealed he gave up veganism after a painful medical issue forced him to take a closer look at his diet.
The Last Song star talks health and fitness in the May issue of Men’s Health and discusses what made him rethink his diet after years of cutting out animal products.
‘I was vegan for almost four years, and then February of last year I was feeling lethargic. Then I got a kidney stone. It was one of the most painful weeks of my life.’ the 30-year-old told the magazine.
Fitness goals: Liam Hemsworth talks about rethinking his vegan diet in the new issue of Men’s Health
Liam said he had to have surgery to remove the kidney stone and found out that once you’ve had one, there’s 50% chance of getting another one ‘if you continue eating the way you were eating’.
The Most Dangerous Game star discovered that his kidney stone was made of calcium-oxalate and it forms from having too much oxalate in your diet.
‘Oxalates are really high in a lot of vegetables, specifically spinach, almonds, beetroot, potatoes. Every morning, I was having five handfuls of spinach and then almond milk, almond butter, and also some vegan protein in a smoothie.
‘I was vegan for almost four years, and then February of last year I was feeling lethargic. Then I got a kidney stone. It was one of the most painful weeks of my life.’ Liam, 30, revealed
‘I had to completely rethink what I was putting in my body’: The Hunger Games star discovered that his high oxalate diet probably had something to do with his kidney stone which was formed of calcium-oxalate
‘That was what I considered super healthy. So I had to completely rethink what I was putting in my body.’
The Australian heartthrob said he tried veganism for health reasons and initially experienced many benefits.
‘The first two years, I felt great. My body was strong, my cardio was high. What I say to everyone is “Look, you can read whatever you want to read. But you have to experience it for yourself. You have to figure out what works best for your body.” And if something works well for a period, great, keep doing it. If something changes and you’re not feeling great, you’ve got to reassess it and then figure it out.’
In November 2018 Liam lost the home he shared with now-ex-wife Miley Cyrus to the devastating Woolsey wildfire.
‘The first two years, I felt great. My body was strong, my cardio was high’ Liam said of his vegan lifestyle. He cut out animal products for four years
Reflecting on that time, the actor said he was in denial initially, and thought the fires wouldn’t reach their home in Malibu, despite being ordered to evacuate.
‘The whole time that I was packing up these animals, I had moments where I’m like, “It’s not going to get this far; this is a waste of time, and my house isn’t going to burn down.” And of course it did burn down, and it was a s***ty thing to live through.’
After the devastation, Liam said he just felt lucky to have his animals safe.
‘You have to figure out what works best for your body.”: Despite moving away from veganism, Liam said he thinks everyone should do what’s best for them
‘Chris has a stronger work ethic than most’: Liam spoke of his admiration for his older brother Chris, 36. He is pictured with Chris and brother Luke, 38, in July 2015
‘I was able to appreciate the fact that I got all my animals out, and pretty much everything that I had in my house that burned down is replaceable to a point. There’s a select few things that hold a little bit more sentiment that I’ll never get back.’
The brother of Thor star Chris Hemsworth revealed he looks up to his older sibling.
‘I really look up to my brother Chris. I’ve worked with a lot of people that have been in really great positions in the past 11 years, and Chris has a stronger work ethic than most. He’s so focused.
‘I’m thankful that I have him and am able to use his resources and his knowledge. I call him all the time about scripts and get his opinion. “Should I do this? Should I do that?” We’re looking to do a film this year together, which is like a big action-comedy thing.’
The new issue of Men’s Health hits newsstands on April 21.
Cover star: Liam covers the new issue of Men’s Health which hits newsstands on April 21