2010-03-18 02:45:05 -

Oscar winner FOREST WHITAKER has shed 80 pounds (36.3 kilograms) since be coming a vegetarian three years ago.
The Last King of Scotland star, 48, was required to pile on the pounds for his role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in

the 2006 film, and decided t o give up meat in 2007 in a bid to get back into shape.
Whitaker has slimmed down considerably thanks to a new exercise regime and his healthy eating has paid off so much, he's even considered cutting out dairy produce from his diet too.
A close pal tells the National Enquirer, "Forest will turn 49 in July, and he had a lot of excess fat around his stomach... He's considering bec oming a vegan, but for now he's just giving up meat." The actor revealed he had adopted a vegetarian diet in 2007 when he sho t an advertisement for animal rights group PETA.
In the ad, he said, "You may decide to go vegetarian for better health, for a better environment, or you can be like me and just decide you don' t want to eat meat anymore."