When Alicia Silverstone went vegan, health wasn’t exactly her goal.
During an appearance on Monday’s episode of the “Sibling Revelry” podcast, the actor spoke about the unexpected benefits a plant-based diet had on her body.
“When I made these changes, yes, I did it for the animals,” Silverstone told host Oliver Hudson.
But what surprised her, she said, was how the change in diet affected her health. Previously, she used a daily asthma inhaler and “had allergy shots twice a week.”
“I was taking antibiotics three times a year, at least, for bronchitis. I had acne. I had all these things that are, like, normal in our society,” Silverstone said.
Once she went vegan, “all of that went away,” Silverstone said.
“And I didn’t know that that was going to happen. That was the miracle. So it drastically changed my life,” the “Clueless” actor said.
Silverstone said she first tried going vegetarian as a child when her older brother mimicked lamb noises when she was served her meal on a flight. It was a moment that made her realize what was on her plate.
“You know, when you’re a kid and you’re just being fed, you don’t think about where your food came from,” Silverstone said. “I was like, ‘This is a lamb? This is actually a lamb?'”
The actor added that her dad supported her efforts to be a vegetarian and even got her a book on the subject. However, her efforts were “short-lived,” she said.
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“I just ate a lot of ice cream and french fries, and it didn’t make any sense. Eventually, I saw a documentary on how we get our food, and after that, I was done,” Silverstone said.
Earlier this month, Silverstone said she was “certain” her diet kept her youthful without Botox or fillers, but acknowledged it’s not possible to eat healthily all the time.
“It’s just about having a road map to living my most radiant life while also veering right a little or veering left and then coming back,” she told Byrdie. “We can always aim for perfection; I’m always trying. But I always go back to plant-based food.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no “asthma diet” that can eliminate symptoms. However, it recommends eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are a good source of antioxidants that may help reduce lung swelling and inflammation.
But eating a plant-based diet has other health benefits, such as a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, those on a plant-based diet should take extra care to consume nutrients like vitamin B12, which is commonly found in animal products.
A representative for Silverstone did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.
