How Anthony Bourdain Was Able To Eat So Much Food While Filming - Tasting Table

"Seeing the world of food through Anthony Bourdain's eyes was a moving and exciting experience. His passion was apparent in the words he spoke and the actions he took. You could see it on his face when he tried a truly transcendent dish in a far-away land. His show "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" did what a good food show should do by making you feel as if you were with him, and making you wish you could taste those dishes for yourself."

"As glorious as it would be to visit decadent food cities and indulge in the best dishes far and wide, it's hardly a practical way to live one's life. Never mind the financial burden, simply eating the most rich, delicious, and hearty foods in several places throughout the day would take its toll on your body. To prepare for a full schedule of tasting different dishes on camera, Anthony Bourdain would occasionally fast in the days leading up to filming, according to People."

"The idea of fasting before eating a big meal is nothing new. Some might do it before indulging in a buffet. The same behavior can even be seen in the world of competitive eating - those guys who polish off a few dozen pizzas or pies definitely don't have a big breakfast that morning. In fact, hot-dog-eating champ Joey Chestnut won't eat solid food for 48 hours before a big competition."

Anthony Bourdain displayed evident passion when tasting transcendent dishes on Parts Unknown, creating an immersive food-travel viewing experience. Filming required tasting many rich dishes, so strict scheduling and occasional fasting helped manage the physical toll. Fasting in the days before shoots conserved capacity for multiple tastings on camera. Pre-meal fasting mirrors practices used before buffets and in competitive eating, where competitors often avoid solid food to maximize intake. Hot-dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut typically avoids solid food for 48 hours before competitions. Intermittent fasting is a common method for weight management, though Bourdain's exact eating schedule remains unclear.

Read at Tasting Table