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James McAvoy did not eat 6,000 calories a day to look the way he does now. And the way he looks now is very toned, with muscles he didn't have at the beginning of the year when Split had us all freaked out. The actor looks so physically transformed that when a paparazzi photo was snapped of him at couple weeks back, it went viral in about two seconds. Then, digging around for an explanation, outlets reported that McAvoy had said he ate 6,000 calories a day to bulk up for his role in Split.

That, according to McAvoy, is bullshit. While he did tell Mr. Porter in January he ate 6,00o calories a day, he says he was joking at the time. It "was meant as a joke and is being widely used out of context" the actor wrote in a myth-busting Instagram post this morning, which is altogether reassuring, as 6,000 calories is a ridiculous amount to eat every day, even under the watchful eye of a personal trainer.

McAvoy also explained he felt responsible to state the facts, especially in regards to a diet so extreme on the body. "I'm sure most people would never dream of copying the advice of some article/s on the internet about some actor but I know some would and id be gutted if they laboured under bad advice or worse yet seriously harmed their health," he continued in the post.

And McAvoy explained how he did get so jacked (for an upcoming role in another M. Night Shyamalan movie called Glass): He didn't count calories at all. He ate "a lot"—but "nowhere near" 6,000 calories a day—and built muscle weight to cut a leaner figure. He and his trainer instead measured his intake in macros, which is a personalized diet plan based on what ideal ratio of fat, protein, and carbs you should eat each day to meet your goals—"I think probably a healthier way of tracking intake," McAvoy added.

So shouts to McAvoy for not leading his fans astray over some insane (and fictional) celebrity diet trend. Health should always come over biceps.

Sarah Rense Sarah Rense is the Associate Lifestyle Editor at Esquire, where she covers tech, food, drink, home, and more.

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