American actor Sebastian Stan underwent a significant transformation to play the part of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the controversial new movie, “The Apprentice”. The film focuses on Trump’s younger life when he forged his path as a thriving real estate mogul in New York City. To convincingly embody Trump, Stan had to gain weight primarily, so he sought advice from a nutritionist to alter his diet.
In the casting process, both Stan and director Ali Abbasi decided to eschew the use of makeup and prosthetics to mimic Trump’s physical appearance. The actor shared in a recent interview, “The film’s funding was inconsistent, and there were several start-stop moments. I was preparing for a Marvel project, and then a strike happened, which propelled us to go ahead. We attempted to experiment with prosthetics, which turned out to be unsuccessful. Then the director inquired about how much weight I could gain in a month and a half.”
Stan revealed that the nutritionist suggested he needed to start consuming beer immediately. However, being a non-drinker, Stan refused to incorporate alcohol into his diet. As the alternative, the nutritionist recommended a daily regimen of ramen with soy sauce, which Stan followed. The purpose of the unconventional diet change was not only to cause rapid weight gain but also to induce bloating, particularly in his face.
Ramen, a formidable comfort food owing to its savory flavor, has garnered much popularity, even outside its native Asian culinary scene, but health experts have sounded alarms about its potential health risks. Many people, regardless of being a fan of K-dramas, find the instant version of ramen topped with a generous pour of soy sauce irresistible.
However, Prachi Chandra, Lead Clinical Nutritionist at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, cautioned against the overconsumption of ramen. According to Chandra, ramen, being an instant food, contains carbohydrates (maltodextrin and refined wheat flour), unhealthy fats, and MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). A single serving of ramen, approximately 43g, contains 380 to 400 calories.
Chandra further explained that the wheat-based noodle, coupled with flour, contains salt and kansui, giving it its characteristic springy and elastic texture. The combination of ramen and its seasoning packets significantly increases the blood sugar level, leading to an increase in insulin levels promoting lipogenesis and thereby leading to weight gain. “The added palm oil is one of the main ingredients in Ramen, due to its high fat content of 15g, it becomes calorie-rich”, she emphasized.
Excess intake of ramen can lead to bloating and also increases visceral fats (fat surrounding the internal organs). Moreover, ramen has low fiber content, which does not induce a feeling of satiety and results in overeating. Although a single serving of ramen offers roughly 67g of carbohydrates, its sodium levels are alarmingly high due to soy sauce added in a high amount. High sodium content results in water retention, making one’s face and abdomen appear puffier, and thus heavier. The consumption of ramen should be carefully managed, especially for those diagnosed with celiac disease or those with gluten intolerance.
So, while the ramen diet aided Stan in his role, nutritionists warn against incorporating it into a regular diet plan. Transforming for a role might be a part of their job for actors, but it’s essential to consider the potential health implications these extreme changes might have.
