The star has grappled with body image struggles and food-related challenges throughout her life. She shared that the pressure to maintain a certain appearance, especially in the entertainment world, has only intensified her anxiety.
The public figure’s struggles with self-image and eating habits trace back to her early childhood. Over time, she has developed a consistent routine to manage these concerns, and she is often told that she appears younger than her age. Take a look at how the veteran actress’s appearance has changed since her first years in Hollywood.
These physical changes mirror a deeper personal journey. Long before stepping into the spotlight, the “Scrubs” actress, who is also a comedian, battled insecurities tied to her appearance and food issues.
Growing up, she played hockey and was surrounded by athletic brothers who emphasized physical fitness. Recalling that period, she once remarked, “I think, as a young girl, that can really kind of [expletive] with your head.”
Those early experiences laid the groundwork for how the New Hampshire native would later navigate the pressures of her profession. By then fully immersed in an industry that often prioritizes appearance over well-being, she was acutely aware of its demands.
The celebrity shared in an interview that working in a high-stress job where women are expected to wear tight dresses leaves little room for dietary mistakes. If she eats something that doesn’t sit well, the discomfort can become so intense that continuing a 12-hour shoot feels impossible.
Coping with these challenges has never been easy, especially for someone who admits to dealing with high levels of anxiety. At 23, the star made major lifestyle changes, cutting out sugar, giving up alcohol, and turning to yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She once said it was “the best Ritalin you could give anyone.”
These changes became more than just habits — they turned into a way to stay balanced. She admitted, “I’m an actress with food issues and body image issues — that’s real.” Still, the celebrity works toward healing and managing her physical health in a natural way, aiming to fuel her body with what it needs most.
Her commitment to wellness remains steady, even during long days on set. While filming the sci-fi comedy “Future Man” in 2017, the actress kept up her strict routine despite the demands of stunt training.
The workouts were so intense that the cast joked about overdeveloping their muscles. After the first season, she shifted from weightlifting to attending the Tracy Anderson method studio three times a week.
The comedian described it as a dripping-sweat kind of workout and the only one that had ever worked for her. Hiking, often with machetes in hand, is another favorite way she stays active. Even her mornings are carefully structured. By 4 a.m., she is already on the mat, practicing yoga that centers on breath and gentle stretching rather than intense movement.
She believes that carving out time early in the day helps her stay ahead of a busy schedule. Afterward, she takes an ice-cold shower, alternating between hot and cold water. According to her, this method boosts hormone balance and supports the endocrine system, while the temperature shifts benefit heart health.
The cold routine doesn’t end with the shower. Her first drink is an icy blend made with Shakeology’s Power Greens Boost, cacao — chosen for her love of chocolate — maca, and matcha. She prefers it “super cold, almost-hurt-your-teeth cold.” Managing what goes into her body is a constant effort.
Lifelong food allergies and sensitivities have led the model to cut out a wide range of ingredients. After eliminating certain foods, she discovered she could no longer tolerate garlic or anything containing seeds, including avocados, chia seeds, quinoa, and coconut. Even nuts and beans must be chosen carefully.
Her strict diet eventually led her to adopt a vegan lifestyle, having already been vegetarian since the age of nine while growing up in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Ironically, gluten remains one of the few things her body can tolerate.
Ongoing dietary limitations have sparked her interest in natural digestive aids — ranging from superfoods and powders to experimental herbs. She once described her digestion as that of an infant at 36 and expressed a desire to find ways to improve it.
The star’s search for digestible foods often leads to overindulgence when she finds something that works. Blueberries became a regular part of her diet, sometimes in three large bowls a day, simply because they agree with her system.
She believes they offer more than just digestive benefits. In her words, fruit makes a person feel great, and blueberries support telomeres, which she calls the body’s aging barometer.
From birth, the celebrity explained, telomeres begin to shrink, but blueberries help extend them. “I have had more people tell me that I look younger,” the 43-year-old said, crediting the change to her fruit-heavy routine.
Although she cut back on blueberries to avoid potential allergies, one snack remains a favorite. Rice cakes, which she insists are not part of any trendy diet, continue to be a go-to.
She enjoys their crunch and finds them satisfying, even if they never quite fill her up. Her usual toppings include beans, Veganaise, arugula, heirloom tomatoes, and nutritional yeast. The mixture often falls apart while eating, but she doesn’t mind.
Along with rice cakes, plain white rice is another favorite. She prepares it with nutritional yeast, pink Himalayan salt, and Veganaise, creating a creamy, risotto-like dish.
On occasion, she treats herself to vegan Mookies in peanut butter or oatmeal chai raisin, fully aware they may cause discomfort. Despite sensitivities to oats, chai, and raisins, she eats them anyway, joking that she simply wears loose sweatpants and deals with the aftermath.
Eliza Coupe’s diet and lifestyle choices aren’t the only things that have changed over the years. In earlier public appearances, she had a fuller face, rounder cheeks, and smooth skin. Her figure appeared stronger, with broader shoulders and visible muscle tone.
More recently, the celebrity’s appearance has taken a noticeably sharper turn. On March 19, 2025, she appeared at the world premiere of Netflix’s “The Residence,” marking her latest public outing. The veteran star stepped out in a plunging dress that revealed her tattoos for the occasion.
Her frame looks significantly thinner, with more defined facial features, hollowed cheeks, and prominent collarbones. Along with these changes, her hairstyle has also evolved. She now wears a choppy shag cut with bangs and a tousled texture, adding to her edgy, almost rugged style.
In a recent photo, she paired the look with oversized glasses and a faux fur-lined jacket, showcasing a bold departure from her earlier, more polished image. The noticeable change in her physique has sparked online discussion, with some claiming the public figure now looks “unrecognizable.”
Damn. This is just sad.
Scrubs star Eliza Coupe, 43, looked unrecognizable in Hollywood on Wednesday night.
I see this in Los Angeles all the time. This looks like more than just normal aging and screams drug abuse and malnutrition to me.
I don’t know her personally so I… pic.twitter.com/oxYSyFGBbV
— Stella X (@stellaaaaaax) March 21, 2025
“This is just sad,” one person wrote. Another individual remarked, “That is a dramatic difference.” One simply stated, “Oh Wow [sic],” while another commented, “So sad. This is the look of an actress who had to sell pieces of her soul to partake in the industry.”
In addition to her recent physical transformation and bold new style, Coupe’s personal life has also drawn public attention. Outside of her work in Hollywood, she has experienced changes in her relationships as well.
Her first marriage was to Randall Whittinghill, an acting coach, whom she wed on New Year’s Eve in 2007. During the union, the celebrity once admitted that she began dating Whittinghill because he resembled “The Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp.
She acknowledged that he was aware of it and noted they had been together for 12 years, during which, in her view, he still looked like the actor.
Despite the humor and affection in those remarks, the relationship eventually came to an end. The couple separated on their fifth anniversary, and by 2013, Whittinghill filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The two did not have any children together.
Not long after the end of her first marriage, Coupe entered a second union with author Darin Olien. The two wed in December 2014, shortly after her divorce from Whittinghill.
During happier times, the couple appeared close and content. In one photo shared by Olien, they smiled together while celebrating the holidays abroad. He captioned the image, “My SuperBride @theelizacoupe and I enjoying the Holidays New Zealand style!”
Nearly four years later, Olien filed to dissolve the marriage, listing their separation date as March 27, 2018. The couple had no children, and at the time, it was unclear whether spousal support would be requested in this case.
The “Happy Endings” alum’s previous divorce had significant financial implications. She was required to pay $7,000 a month in spousal support for two years and provide a lump sum of $306,000.
Eliza Coupe’s life has shifted both personally and professionally, marked by visible changes and public interest. From demanding routines to two high-profile marriages, she has faced challenges in and out of the spotlight. Her evolving appearance and lifestyle choices continue to draw strong reactions. Despite it all, she remains a figure of curiosity and conversation.
