While I can't honestly say that I'm a fan of Mark Wahlberg and his various variants on wisecracking tough guy he seems to so enjoy (his role in the Departed notwithstanding), I can appreciate the work he goes through to keep himself in the tip-top shape he seems to be in.

His acting in the likes of Transformers or that bizarre movie about the BP Oil Spill leaves a lot to be desired, but it's clear from looking at the man that he leaves no stone unturned in the relentless pursuit of muscle. He's 47, for Pete's sake! I don't even look that good now!

Of course, Marky Mark (you New Kids On The Block fans will appreciate that - all four of you) spends countless hours in the gym to fully refine those abs and pecs, but you all have read enough of these to know that a strong exercise regime is only half the battle when it comes to bodily perfection; you've also got to watch your diet.

He posted to Instagram to give us all a better idea of how he likes to eat, and let's say that if you or I tried to eat like Mark Wahlberg, it could very easily kill us.

Mark Wahlberg sticks to a pretty intense intake of calories to fuel his muscle-building antics. Yes, he wakes up at 3:45 every morning to start his workouts, but he also has a huge meal 45 minutes later to keep him going. That meal consists of three turkey burgers and five pieces of sweet potato, and we're only just getting started on his day.

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Of course, Turkey makes for a good source of protein, but what you might not know about sweet potato is that it makes for a very good source of carbs, and that's down to the amount of vitamin C present in every helping. Research from Loughborough University in the UK says that a carb-restrictive diet can lead to high cortisol levels (which can lead to hypertension, high blood pressure, and even diabetes), so eating them keeps Wahlberg healthy.

Next, it's breakfast number two: this time, Marky Mark skips the carbs entirely, and just has a ton of meatballs at eight o'clock. That's a lot of food to be eating before some people (read: me) have even had their breakfast. Next, it's 10am, where Mark Wahlberg will have his third breakfast of the day.

While his first two attempts were high in protein, this one has a stronger spread of vitamins: grilled chicken, yes, but paired with peppercinis (baby peppers), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers and hard boiled eggs. Peppercinis are actually meant to help with metabolism further, so every little helps for Wahlberg.

If he's still feeling a bit peckish between these three meals (somehow), Mark Wahlberg will enjoy a nice protein shake. For lunch, it's time for a nice big steak, before attacking another helping of chicken with some bok choy, while white fish rounds off the day before Mark Wahlberg turns in for bed at around... 6:30pm? Wait, that can't be right, can it?

Yes, folks: it turns out that to recharge the batteries effectively for an early morning workout, you've got to start fairly early too, so take Wahlberg's diet routine with a pinch of salt. You probably could achieve Mark Wahlberg's body by following his diet, but six meals a day is quite a lot, it goes without saying.

Movie star Mark Wahlberg reveals everything he eats in a single day