Emilia Clarke might be finished with her filming in the final season of Game of Thrones, but if she's learnt anything being Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons, it's that you see things through until the end. That includes her ultra-healthy way of eating.
In fact, the English actress depends on her nutrition and consistent exercise program to get her through the long hours on the set and beyond. Clarke's super fit physique is the result of eating "clean and lean," by following the Clean and Lean Diet, created by Bodyism founder James Duigan.
On his website, Duigan, an Australian personal trainer, explained that Living Clean and Lean is a lifestyle, not a diet. His program, which is used by several celebrities including Hugh Grant and Lara Stone, is about being kind to yourself.
Duigan advocates for eating foods in their natural state. That means getting rid of what he calls the "toxins" or the processed foods, sugars, and drinks and Emilia is all about that life. His message of balance through realistic and sustainable eating practices also ties into what he calls the "blueprint for a healthy, happy life long-term." This blueprint includes the four pillars of mindset, nutrition, movement, and sleep.
The holistic nature of this program is more about a lifestyle than it is about a diet. There are no quick-fix gimmicks or "start and end dates." In order for the Clean and Lean way of living to work, it has to become a part of who you are.
Clarke is a faithful follower of his philosophy and it shows. Although the exact details of what she eats are not known, it's a safe bet that, if she is following the program, she consumes a lot of quality protein and vegetables, and stays clear of unprocessed foods at each meal.
The Clean and Lean program recommends three key elements at each meal: protein (chicken, lamb, salmon, prawns), fat (avocado, nuts, seeds, olive/coconut oil), and a rainbow of vegetables (spinach, peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes). Exercise is a critical part of Clarke's life, and fueling her workouts with the "right" foods is what gets her through her gruelling fitness sessions.
By following this lifestyle - or way of eating - most days of the week, Duigan says you should be leaner, feel better, and have more energy. The combination of protein, green vegetables, sweet potatoes, and the good fats like nuts and olive oil are a great place to start. Just make sure you have enough carbohydrates to keep your workouts intense and effective.
Of course, part of achieving those results also includes limiting sugar, alcohol, and caffeine, and staying away from processed carbohydrates. You don't necessarily need to sign up to a (probably expensive) brand to embody this kind of lifestyle but having someone like the Mother of Dragons eating the same stuff as you is pretty cool.
