What David Corenswet (32) Eats to Build a Superman Body

When James Gunn cast David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, he did not just hand him a cape and call it done. What followed was nearly ten months of eating on a scale most people cannot fathom, a training schedule built around getting genuinely bigger rather than just leaner, and a food philosophy that turns out to be far less glamorous than a Kryptonian origin story.

The Number That Stops People in Their Tracks

Corenswet gained 40 pounds to play the role, going from around 200 pounds to 240 at his peak. His co-star Rachel Brosnahan reportedly could not believe the sheer volume of food placed in front of him at their first pre-production breakfast.

His daily calorie target was 4,500 calories during his bulk phase, built almost entirely from whole foods. As filming approached, that dropped to around 3,500 to lean out slightly before putting on the suit.

What Actually Went Into His Body

The macronutrient split was methodical: 50 percent carbs, 30 percent protein, and 20 percent fat, spread across five to seven meals a day. Corenswet told E! News that the approach was simple: “Protein with every meal. Five times a day. 250 grams of protein a day.”

A typical breakfast alone included six egg whites, two whole eggs, a large bowl of oatmeal, berries, Greek yogurt with almonds, and a protein shake.

The Carbs and Fats That Powered the Bulk

Carb sources were straightforward and functional: rice, sweet potatoes, oats, and vegetables, with higher-carb meals timed before workouts for maximum energy. Healthy fats came from olive oil, avocado, and seeds.

His protein sources ranged across eggs, chicken, red meat, fish, dairy, and whey protein shakes, rotated throughout the day to keep nutrients flowing steadily.

The One Food He Could Not Resist

For all the precision, Corenswet had one well-documented weakness. His trainer Paolo Mascitti told GQ that the actor’s kryptonite was cereal, with French toast and waffles also making occasional appearances.

A Greek yogurt carton before bed rounded out his days.

Corenswet himself called the whole thing “nothing remarkable,” describing it as simply lifting heavy things, eating a lot, and sleeping as much as possible. For a body that stopped the internet cold when the first ‘Superman’ images dropped, that might be the most surprising detail of all.