WATCH: Matt Damon on Veganism: 'Do as I Say, Not as I Do'

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Actor and water activist Matt Damon made clear that he thinks that going vegan “is a wonderful thing to do”…even if the actor hasn’t quite made the dietary change himself.

Ken Spector, on behalf of Ecorazzi and HappyCow at the 2013 Environmental Media Awards, asked the “The Promised Land” star about how a plant based diet ties in to his work with Water.org considering it takes 2400 gallons of water to create a pound of meat and only 25 gallons to grow a pound of wheat. Damon was asked, “Have you thought of going vegan?” He confessed, “My thoughts on veganism are that it’s a wonderful thing to do. I just can’t do it. I tried. Casey Affleck and I made a movie in the desert in Argentina like 12 years ago and he’s a vegan and I tried to eat vegan and I lasted like two days. I just, I literally can’t do it. And I know…that might be bad.”

What did Damon eat during his two days of veganism? He told Ken that back in Argentina, all they had to eat were dented cans of garbanzo beans. Not exactly a great introduction to a vegan diet. Considering Los Angeles is one of the top rated places for vegan cuisine in the country, we think Affleck should take Damon out to his favorite restaurant to give the food another try. We know he’d do better this time. Or, at the very least, replace a few more meals with plant based options.

Damon does believe that the planet would benefit by having more people give up animal products. When Ken asked him what he would say to people about veganism and how it could help the environment, Damon said, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

For those of you who value clean water and a healthy planet, consider this fact: A vegan diet uses approximately 300 gallons of water per day, while a meat-eating diet uses more than 4200 gallons of water per day.

Now, check out Matt’s full interview for the entire scoop.