Fitness doesn’t come with an age limit. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is the very epitome of fitness at age 83. The secret behind his fitness in his advanced age? Eating clean. As per reports, the original ‘Don’ of Bollywood, who has been a vegetarian since 2000, follows a vegetarian diet free from meat, processed food, sugar, and high-calorie dishes. Here’s a look at his simple but clean diet.

Big B is an avowed vegetarian and has been so since 2000. According to a GlamSham report, Big B once ignored the platters of non-veg Awadhi delicacies at a Lucknow hotel. According to the chef of the hotel, here's what the Piku actor ate during his stay: According to the chef, Amitabh Bachchan follows a simple and modest eating routine. His breakfast typically consists of a glass of milk and scrambled eggs prepared without chillies. For lunch, the veteran actor prefers two or three rotis accompanied by plain dal without any garnish and green vegetables. He also steers clear of rice.

The chef recalled that Bachchan once requested paneer bhurji but has otherwise never made any special food demands. On days when filming keeps him occupied until late, the actor opts for a bowl of soup for dinner. Sometimes, he even skips a full meal and has nothing beyond soup, the hotel staff revealed.

A Pinkvilla report last year elaborated on the superstar’s diet. His breakfast consists of protein shakes, almonds, porridge, or coconut water. He is fond of consuming gooseberry juice, dates and nuts on a frequent basis. He also enjoys having fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

As a conscious eater, the Sholay star avoids sweets, heavily fried foods, high-calorie dishes, and desserts. He also recently gave up eating rice at age 83. He often eats the standard Indian dish – daal, sabzi, and chapatis.

In his blog, the superstar once revealed a desi concoction he swears by – he often has a mix of coconut water, amla (gooseberry) juice, dates, tulsi leaves, and almonds after breakfast. He wrote: "Okay, so while all this was being conveyed to you a lot... breaka’ is almost over ... quick brief consumption... the ‘tulsi patta ', the probiotic dose, the protein drink, the almonds, the porridge, the tablets, the coconut water, the ‘aanvalaa’ juice (myrrh, which is called in the language of this post), the fruit banana ... and at the gym, dates from considerate Ef of the Arab world ... and bites of the apple in between machine changes ... and lots of water too.”

According to a Cleveland Clinic report, tulsi leaves have several health benefits – such as lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels and decreasing inflammation and high blood pressure – and so they are a must-have food for those suffering from diabetes, obesity, arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, contains eugenol, a naturally occurring compound with anti-inflammatory properties.

Joint Pain Relief: According to rheumatologists such as Dr Ramya Reddy Puligari, tulsi’s potential anti-inflammatory effects and stress-relieving qualities may help ease joint discomfort, swelling and soreness.

Antioxidant Benefits: Tulsi leaves contain antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium and iron. These nutrients contribute to normal immune function and help protect cells from oxidative damage.

While today, the superstar is associated with healthy eating, he had not always been so disciplined. In a 1980 interview with India Today, the Coolie actor said that he once smoked 200 cigarettes and often drank too. He also once ate non-vegetarian food.

“I used to eat meat – in fact, I used to drink and smoke as well, but now I have given them up. In Calcutta I smoked 200 cigarettes a day – yes, that’s right, 200, but then I gave it up after coming to Bombay. I used to drink too – anything, we’d drink anything we could get our hands on, but a few years ago I decided I didn’t really need it,” he said.

Big B’s journey from being a chain smoker and alcoholic to being the very definition of fitness at 83 proves that with the right diet and lifestyle choices you can be healthy and be at the peak of health at any age.