Melissa Joan Hart Sheds 20 Pounds by Eliminating Two Items in Health Transformation

Actress Melissa Joan Hart Reveals Simple Diet Changes Led to 18-Pound Weight Loss

Cutting sugar and alcohol from her diet helped actress Melissa Joan Hart shed nearly 20 pounds as part of what she describes as a “longevity journey,” the star revealed in a recent interview.

“I just wanted to feel better. It had nothing to do with losing weight,” the 49-year-old told People magazine at Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler’s Grammy viewing party in Los Angeles on February 1. “I really didn’t think I could lose weight anymore, being in midlife and perimenopause.”

The actress, best known for her roles in “Clarissa Explains It All” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” said her transformation began when she started exercising more intensely and paying closer attention to her lifestyle. During this process, she discovered intermittent fasting and decided to eliminate sugar and alcohol entirely from her diet.

Hart noted that giving up alcohol was a particularly easy decision. “I just don’t even enjoy drinking. So why bother?” she explained. “I cut these things out of my life, and I started to feel better. And in doing that, I lost a lot of weight and kind of feel great.”

The changes have made a significant difference in how she feels physically. “I actually feel stronger and better than I have in a really long time,” Hart said.

Health experts note that weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is common. According to the Mayo Clinic, hormonal changes, aging, and lifestyle factors can slow metabolism and shift fat distribution toward the abdominal area. However, maintaining an active lifestyle, following a healthy diet, limiting added sugars and alcohol, and prioritizing sleep can help minimize midlife weight gain.

The health benefits of reducing sugar and alcohol consumption extend beyond weight management. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that such dietary changes can lower the risk of numerous health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver damage, and certain cancers, while supporting better overall metabolic health.

Hart, who will turn 50 in April, also shared that staying hydrated has been an ongoing challenge. “My husband says when I drink a glass of water, I make a face like it’s the most disgusting thing on earth,” she joked, referring to her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson. “I’m sipping on it, like, ‘Eww.'”

Instead of plain water, the mother of three often opts for club soda with lime or various teas. “I’ll do hot tea, cold tea, green tea, peppermint tea — any kind of tea,” she said.

Hart’s approach to wellness aligns with a growing trend among celebrities who have credited similar lifestyle changes for improved health and weight loss. Last year, actor Russell Crowe revealed that reducing alcohol consumption played a significant role in his 57-pound transformation. “Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness has also spoken about cutting back on alcohol while focusing on overall health.

In the music industry, country singer Jelly Roll has attributed his dramatic weight loss to long-term wellness and mental health support. Meanwhile, actor Matt Damon recently shared that eliminating certain foods, including gluten, helped him slim down for film roles.

The trend toward cutting sugar and alcohol reflects a broader shift in wellness culture that emphasizes holistic health improvements over quick-fix dieting. For Hart, the weight loss appears to be a welcome side effect of changes made primarily to improve how she feels physically as she approaches her milestone birthday.

As more celebrities share their experiences with cutting back on sugar and alcohol, health experts continue to emphasize that these dietary changes, when combined with regular exercise and adequate sleep, can lead to significant improvements in overall wellbeing, particularly for those navigating midlife hormonal transitions.