Ever since Stanley Tucci's effortlessly charming Negroni video went viral back in 2020, he's become one of the internet's favourite food personalities.

So when Stanley Tucci offers a glimpse of what he's eating, it's worth paying attention.

Last week, while wrapping the forthcoming action-comedy heist Masterplan, Tucci appeared on Instagram from his trailer to share the only behind-the-scenes footage we really cared about: his lunch.

'I'm in my trailer yet again,' Tucci said in the reel. 'I have stunt rehearsals today and just took a little break for lunch.

'Also because I was probably gonna have to be hospitalised if I didn't take a break,' the 65-year-old joked.

'Why they didn't ask me to do stunts when I was like 40, I have no idea.'

What to read next

Back to the food. His pleasingly unfussy lunch contained just six ingredients: tuna, cucumber, feta, olive oil, tomato and basil. Here's why it's a simple, high-protein meal worth stealing.

Is Stanley Tucci's Tuna Salad Healthy?

Let's start with the nutrition. Tuna and feta provide plenty of protein, olive oil contributes heart-healthy unsaturated fats, while the tomatoes, cucumber and basil add fibre, micronutrients and freshness.

While we can't calculate the exact protein content of Tucci's lunch without knowing his portion sizes, a serving of tuna alongside feta is likely to make a worthwhile contribution towards your daily protein intake. As a general rule, aiming for around 25–30g of protein per meal is a sensible target for most active adults.

It's also worth spreading that protein across the day rather than cramming it all into dinner. One small controlled study found muscle protein synthesis over 24 hours was around 25% higher when participants distributed the same amount of protein relatively evenly across three meals.

The remaining ingredients give the dish a distinctly Mediterranean feel – no bad thing. The Mediterranean diet remains one of the most consistently researched eating patterns for supporting long-term health.

The only thing missing is a substantial source of carbohydrates. That's not necessarily a problem if you're spending the afternoon behind a desk, but if you're training later in the day, adding some quality carbs will give your body the fuel it needs.

Cannellini beans, wholewheat pasta or a couple of slices of wholegrain bread would all work well, while also increasing the meal's fibre content.

The Verdict

Six ingredients, minimal effort and a solid nutritional profile – it's exactly the sort of lunch you'd expect from Tucci. We'd simply add some wholegrain carbs if training is on the agenda, then leave the stunt work to him.