You wouldn’t believe this—Taraji P. Henson, the powerhouse behind Empire, has always seemed unstoppable, living her best life in the spotlight. But recently, she shared something surprising with Closer Weekly: a health scare that had her rethinking her lifestyle. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything too serious, and Taraji is back on track, healthier than ever.
What Happened? Taraji Talks About Her Struggle
During a conversation promoting Special K’s #OwnIt campaign, Taraji opened up about her health journey. “I recently had a health scare, and it all came down to food—specifically, the types of food I was eating,” she revealed. The actress, who’s also a mom, went on to explain how women often second-guess their eating habits. “It’s alarming how much time we spend doubting food,” she remarked. Turns out, she was dealing with gastritis—a condition that, according to her, many people live with unknowingly.
Understanding Gastritis: What Is It Exactly?
Gastritis, as explained by WebMD, is essentially inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be diagnosed through blood tests, stool samples, or an upper endoscopy. The symptoms? Think bloating, burning sensations in the stomach, and, in severe cases, even vomiting blood. Once diagnosed, Taraji realized she needed to revamp her eating habits—something that, she admitted, 90% of women stress over far too often. “Food should be an experience,” Taraji emphasized. “I love food, I love to eat, and I don’t want to feel guilty about it. My health issue taught me that stress is a huge factor when it comes to digestion. Doubting food or worrying about it only adds to that stress.”
Read also:Kaitlan Collins The Story Of A Trailblazing Transgender Journalist
How Taraji Is Taking Control
She’s now focusing on making healthier choices and owning those decisions. “Special K has been a great help in this journey,” she shared. “Their options are high in protein, low in calories, and low in sugar—all things I need to watch right now.” It’s all about balance, she explained, and finding ways to enjoy food without it negatively impacting her health.
MORE: Tom Cruise Appears to Be Injured in an Accident While Filming a Stunt for ‘Mission Impossible 6’
Learning to Let Go of Guilt
“Food is such a big part of life, and I don’t want to waste time feeling guilty about it,” Taraji explained. She learned that her stomach issues were partly due to stress, and constantly questioning her food choices only made things worse. “Stress is a real issue when it comes to digestion, so if I’m doubting food or worried about it, that’s going to add to the problem. Instead, I’m focusing on making healthy choices and owning those decisions. Special K has been a game-changer for me because their options are high in protein, low in calories, and low in sugar—all things I need to be mindful of right now.”
For more exclusive stories and insights, sign up for the Closer Weekly newsletter!
