Daniella Monet, known for her role on 'Victorious,' recently opened up about her struggles with irritable bowel syndrome during her teenage years, revealing how medication for the condition led to significant weight loss.
In a conversation with Taylor Lautner and his wife Taylor on their podcast, The Squeeze, Monet recounted her experiences with IBS after seeking medical advice for severe stomach issues and difficulty digesting food.
Monet shared that a doctor diagnosed her with IBS, a chronic condition that, according to the Mayo Clinic, affects the stomach and intestines, causing symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation.
Now 35, the actress explained that she was prescribed a mix of medications, including over-the-counter laxatives, which she said, “destroyed me.”
She also faced significant personal challenges at the time, such as her parents' separation and a lengthy commute to the studio for work, which affected her mental and physical well-being.
Reflecting on her situation, Monet noted, “Looking back, it’s clear there were many environmental factors at play,” and she felt that doctors overlooked these aspects, focusing instead on medication.
During her time on the Nickelodeon show from 2010 to 2013, Monet experienced dramatic weight loss due to the medication, causing her to miss her periods for nearly five years.
She described the discomfort and constant pain she felt, explaining, “Imagine eating food and having it come right out of you. It was incredibly uncomfortable.”
Her rapid weight loss led to discussions with the wardrobe department and the network about her shrinking size.
“I was down to Abercrombie kid sizes, and they had to let out the hems of my jeans because I had no waist,” she revealed.
At her lowest point, Monet weighed around 78 lbs. at the age of 16, during her appearances on Zoey 101 and the CBS sitcom Listen Up.
She faced speculation about her health, with people questioning if she was anorexic or forcing herself to vomit.
Monet acknowledged the external pressures but emphasized the impact of the medications she was on.
Determined to take control of her health, she eventually adopted a holistic wellness approach to manage her IBS, which helped her regain weight.
“Going from that weight to about 130 lbs. in a short time was a challenging experience — mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she shared.
Now running her wellness site, Daniella’s Digest, Monet believes in the body's resilience and its ability to heal. “Your body keeps the score and does what it needs to do to make you feel your best again, but it doesn’t happen overnight,” she concluded.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Mujadila : 09
O believers! When you converse privately, let it not be for sin, aggression, or disobedience to the Messenger, but let it be for goodness and righteousness. And fear Allah, to Whom you will ˹all˺ be gathered.
