Leighton Meester Opens Up About Relying on Food Stamps During Her Childhood – Exclusive

As we ventured into the topic of food waste, I asked Leighton how she feels about the entertainment industry in terms of food and restaurant scenes. “I don't ever really consider that because they just use the same food all day long,” she responds. “You'll be shooting like an eight hour scene and it's just the same sandwich in front of you the whole time and you're like, okay — been here for a long time.” Meester claims that food waste is more derived from catering and craft service versus the scenes that we see on our television screens.

“We're probably headed towards it being better rather than worse, but I'm sure that there's a lot of room for improvement,” she says (and what Queen B says goes). Meester comments that a union like SAG-AFTRA — who is currently on the fourth month of its notorious strike — provides meals on set, unlike other business practices. “A big reason why working in SAG-AFTRA is amazing for so many people is that those benefits are almost immeasurable,” she details. That being said, Leighton’s go-to filming snack is often fruits or veggies, but she's definitely “not above eating a bagel or donut” which are often laying around on set.

Meester has two young children with longtime husband and The O.C. star, Adam Brody. The television personality added that she enjoys packing lunches for the kids, with beans and rice being a big part of their eating routine. Meester says, “What I try to do is meal prep as much as I can. Sometimes that doesn't work out for me, but for my kids — I'll make things ahead of time.” She elaborated that her daughter often helps her in the kitchen (although, that can be a whole other task within itself).

Being busy mom with a packed schedule, Meester describes that she's in “one of the luckiest positions that a mom could be.” Her flexible career allows her to be with her children, especially in their younger years. “When I was still nursing or my babies were still young, I had plenty of space and time to do that. And I know most women who are mothers don't have that opportunity at all,” the actress explains.

Meester is officially getting ready for back to school season with her older daughter, who's in that “phase” of scouting “notebooks and new clothes” for the upcoming year. As a true Gossip Girl fan, my imagination assumes that this back to school wardrobe includes one of Blair Waldorf’s iconic headbands...but I digress. 😉