This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
Published on August 29, 2019, Alexander Skarsgård's role as Tarzan in the 2016 film was a departure from his previous roles, including his stint as Eric Northman in the HBO series True Blood. To prepare for the physically demanding role, Skarsgård underwent an extreme diet and workout routine.
Skarsgård's trainer, Magnus Lygdback, a Swedish nutritionist and trainer, worked with him to achieve the desired physique. Lygdback explained that the diet was not for everyone, especially with the short preparation windows actors often face. The goal was to build muscle mass quickly, which required a lot of food and a strict regimen.
Lygdback focused on cutting Skarsgård's body fat, rather than building muscle mass. He based Skarsgård's diet around seafood with slow carbs, such as brown rice, quinoa, and faro, consumed twice a day. Skarsgård also ate good fats like avocados and unsalted nuts. To avoid water retention, Lygdback had Skarsgård limit his salt intake.
When cutting, Lygdback advised Skarsgård to avoid sugar and fast carbs, including bread, pasta, and fruit. He also had Skarsgård stay dairy and gluten-free. Lygdback emphasized the importance of enjoying food and not following a restrictive diet for an extended period.
Skarsgård's daily diet consisted of 135g of protein, 70g of fat, and 200g of carbs. He would start his day with a 30-minute HIIT cardio session, followed by a breakfast of eggs, spinach, and vegetables. Three hours later, he would eat a snack of shrimp or seafood, followed by a lunch of vegetables, sweet potato, and salmon. This pattern continued throughout the day, with Skarsgård consuming a total of four meals and two snacks.
Lygdback stressed the importance of enjoying food and not following a restrictive diet for an extended period. He said, 'What's the point of eating broccoli and chicken breast and white rice seven days a week?' Skarsgård's intense diet and workout routine paid off, as he achieved the iconic Tarzan physique.
