Ben Affleck’s unhealthy habits have reignited concerns among his family and close friends as he battles with stress and a challenging year. The actor, now 53, has been increasingly turning to comfort foods, smoking, and heavy caffeine consumption while neglecting exercise, causing alarm among those who care about him. These habits come amid a tough period marked by personal drama and professional setbacks in Los Angeles.
Once praised during the pandemic for a viral photo showing him juggling multiple packages and a Dunkin’ iced coffee, Affleck has not eased his long-standing love for takeout and coffee. Recently, he was spotted consuming a large portion of McDonald’s fries at a drive-through late at night, highlighting how deeply his indulgences have embedded themselves into his daily routine.
The Struggles Behind the Rising Habits
With three years passed since his last strict workout and diet for a Batman film, Ben’s fitness routine has largely fallen by the wayside. Reports from insiders describe a man increasingly consumed by smoking, junk food, and constant coffee intake, paired with little to no exercise. This lifestyle is described as “really bad” for someone his age, as it has become nearly second nature to him.
“He’s been very moody and withdrawn lately, which unfortunately for Ben can be his way sometimes. But what’s more concerning is how unhealthy and self-destructive he’s being,”
a source revealed.
“He’s smoking a lot every day, gulping down tons of coffee and eating non-stop grease. Plus, to top it all off, he’s rarely exercising or hitting the gym – certainly nothing like he used to.”
The insider added,
“The smoking, the junk food, the gallons of coffee, it’s all so unhealthy. At his age it’s a real bad lifestyle that’s really taken hold of Ben now and become like second nature.”
Personal and Professional Pressures Add to the Strain
This difficult phase coincides with a year marked by emotional and career-related challenges. The New Year marked the one-year anniversary of his formal divorce from Jennifer Lopez, and his recent film, The Rip, failed to meet box office expectations. Moreover, Affleck found himself unintentionally drawn into a public dispute involving Lisa Barlow of Real Housewives, after admitting he did not recall meeting her despite her public boasts.
Adding to the turmoil, his ex-wife Jennifer Garner’s candid comments about their “hard” split have brought renewed attention to their 2015 divorce. Furthermore, Affleck was reportedly pulled into the contentious legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Newly released court documents revealed an email allegedly sent by Lively to Affleck, asking for advice on her role in the film It Ends with Us. Though the recipient’s name was redacted, the connection has fueled more media speculation.
According to sources, the latest controversies have intensified worries among those close to him that his self-destructive behaviors are escalating.
“A lot of people, including his kids, his mom and Jennifer Garner, have tried to talk sense into Ben about this, but he just rolls his eyes and shuts them down right away. He says it’s his life and they have nothing to concern themselves over,”
said an insider.
Family Efforts to Intervene Amid Resistance
Those close to Affleck report that stress triggers his unhealthy coping mechanisms, leading to increased smoking, excessive consumption of donuts, coffee, and fast food.
“It’s when he gets stressed that he gets off track and reaches for his smokes and then it’s the donuts and coffee and the fast food. But Ben is not a kid anymore. He can’t afford to live this way without consequences – these are the kinds of bad habits that cause terrible health problems,”
the source emphasized.
Yet whenever the subject is raised, Affleck reportedly becomes defensive, dismissing worries as exaggerations related to a few unflattering photographs. The source clarified,
“Anytime it comes up he gets super defensive and says everyone’s exaggerating because of a few bad photos. But the reality is he’s not taking care of himself.”
It is important to note that Ben has not relapsed into alcohol use. Having openly discussed his addiction struggles, he has remained sober for the past five years following multiple rehab stints. As the insider explained,
“When he doesn’t have a coffee in his hand, he’s got a soda. It’s obviously better than booze, but it’s still very taxing on the whole system.”
“He knows better, too. When he’s in a good groove and working out and eating clean he always raves about how much better he feels,”
the source added.
Health Improvements Seen During Marriage to Jennifer Lopez
During his marriage to Jennifer Lopez starting in 2022, Ben was reportedly in the best physical shape of his life thanks to her emphasis on fitness and wholesome nutrition.
“There are trainers at the house, there are chefs at the house, and there is healthy food everywhere he turns,”
said a source at the time.
However, after their split in August 2024, maintaining this healthier lifestyle became more difficult. His ex-wife Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children—Violet, 20, Finn, 17, and Samuel, 13—has made efforts to support healthier choices in Ben’s daily life.
“Jennifer has done so much. She literally makes him healthy food and puts it in his fridge, and he orders greasy take-out instead. And he knows how she feels about cigarettes,”
revealed an insider.
“His mom has tried countless times too, and he just shuts down straight away. He hates being told what to do and gets really gruff about it, like people are attacking him instead of worrying about him and trying to help.”
Current State and Future Outlook for Ben Affleck
At present, those close to Affleck feel he is unwilling to accept their support, as he copes with the complexities of divorce, single life, and ongoing work commitments. Among his new projects is directing and starring in the upcoming Netflix thriller, Animals.
“He needs someone to talk some sense into him, but at this point, people are tired of trying to manage him,”
one source confided.
“The more he gets pushed, the more he digs his heels in and does the opposite, so there’s really nothing that can be done. He’s functioning and getting through the day, so in his view, that’s proof that everything is fine.”
Those observing from the sidelines worry about the consequences of neglecting his health.
“He’s neglecting himself, he’s not sleeping properly, he’s wired all the time from nicotine and caffeine, and then crashing hard. It’s a vicious cycle, and underneath his bravado, it’s clear he’s in pain,”
the insider concluded.
