Zac Efron Goes Vegan, Stays Ripped & Declares, "It's Been Brilliant."

The diets and workout regimens of Hollywood’s most svelte and brawny have been fodder for fitspo since the days of the silver screen. While many celebrity regimens seem quite out of reach (around the clock trainers, personal chefs, exotic superfoods and supplements…), there’s one diet that’s effective yet actually accessible that’s helping some celebs look and feel their best—veganism!

From Maggie Q to Liam Hemsworth (and now brother Chris!), A-listers of all sorts are joining Team Vegan. We can now count Zac Efron part of the plant-based crew that also includes songstresses Ariana Grande and Jhené Aiko. Like triple-threat Mya, Efron was happily surprised to discover that going vegan made him feel amazing (while allowing him to maintain his Baywatch bod). Being vegan does not, in fact, dampen one’s manliness, who knew!

After realizing that his packed schedule wasn’t doing his wellness any favors, Efron committed himself to getting more sleep, incorporating more leafy green in his diet, staying away from processed foods, and eating nothing but plants.

He told Teen Vogue, “I’ve been experimenting with eating purely vegan. That’s completely changed the way that my body works, and the way that I metabolize food, the way it turns into energy, the way that I sleep. It’s been brilliant. It’s been great for my exercise, and great for my routine.”

In addition to following a plant-based diet, the star is adopting a more laid-back approach to life:

“Sometimes I love to let it all go out the window, and take a break from grooming for the entire week,” he said. “I love to be the guy that, three hours into my day, somebody close to me will be like, ‘Dude, what’s on your mustache?’ And I’ll be like, What the heck?’ And it’ll be the smoothie that I drank an hour ago, before all of my meetings that nobody chose to tell me about! I kind of just relax with it all. I don’t really care as much anymore.”

Interested in going vegan?

It’s understandable to feel intimidated if a plant-based diet feels very different from what you’re used to. Fortunately, you don’t have to rush into things—plus, a little research into transitioning goes a long way! Here are a few pointers for cooking healthy vegan meals without too much stress, plus tips for making easy vegan side dishes. While the benefits of going vegan vary among people, one thing you can look forward to is burning calories faster than your meat-eating counterparts. Wow!

Zac Efron Goes Vegan, Stays Ripped & Declares, "It's Been Brilliant."