Tom Hanks' Favorite Late Night Snack Is Sugar-Free Maple Syrup
Tom Hanks has been appearing on the big screen since many of us were small. Throughout his decades-long career, he has starred in rewatchable classics such as "Big," "Forrest Gump," and "The Terminal" — several of which feature his characters at the center of some of cinema's most iconic food scenes. In "Big," a boy-turned-man named Josh munched on a cob of baby corn. Forrest Gump founded the thriving Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in honor of his crustacean-loving military buddy (via Nola). And, of course, when he famously compared life to "a box of chocolates." And in "The Terminal," Viktor wolfs down a Burger King Whopper at JFK Airport.
Many of Hanks' hunger- and laughter-inducing sequences have been embedded into the minds of fans across generations. But if you've ever wondered what he likes to indulge in off-screen, you're in for a sugar-free treat. The beloved entertainer was a recent guest on the YouTube channel "Mythical Kitchen" to discuss a myriad of topics. Hanks even described his ideal last meal. Among his favorite things to eat is a sweet, viscous condiment that has become synonymous with pancakes, waffles, French toast, and other breakfast staples.
Tom Hanks has a serious hankering for sugar-free maple syrup
Josh Scherer, the host of "Mythical Kitchen," recently sat down with Tom Hanks to chat about hard-hitting subjects such as death, parenting, loneliness, religion, Hanks' new coffee company, and of course, food. During the episode, the actor dishes out his hypothetical last meal spread, which includes challah French toast drizzled with Cary's brand sugar-free syrup. He reveals, "I have developed a taste for this stuff," referring to the bottle in front of him. "I have been known to come downstairs at night when I need a sweet tooth and get a spoon and get some of the Cary's syrup," Hanks says before eating an entire spoonful of syrup. While it only contains 2 grams of sugar per serving, the actor exclaims, "Tastes like candy to me!"
So, why, exactly, does Hanks prefer sugar-free maple syrup over the real stuff? The reason has more to do with his health than his taste buds. He lives with type II diabetes — a subject about which he has been candid since his diagnosis. Hanks shared with RadioTimes that his diabetes is the result of his eating habits in his 30s and 40s. Further back in 2012, he told Rolling Stone that it was actually fellow actor Alec Baldwin who convinced him to cut back on sugar. Since then, he acquired a hankering for low-sugar and sugar-free products.