Claire Foy Gave Up Caffeine After Catching 'Gross' Stomach Parasites

The Crown star said she had to give up caffeine while treating the parasites she contracted during a trip to Morocco.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:23pm

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Claire Foy, the actress known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, revealed that she once caught stomach parasites while traveling in Morocco. During her treatment, Foy had to give up caffeine, which she said was a difficult task as she was previously consuming 15 cups of tea and 2 cups of coffee per day. Foy has remained caffeine-free since then, as she found it too difficult to reintroduce it into her diet.

Why it matters

Foy's experience highlights the challenges that can come with treating parasitic infections, which often require significant lifestyle changes and the use of medications. Her story also sheds light on the prevalence of such infections, particularly among travelers, and the importance of seeking proper medical care.

The details

Foy said she was diagnosed with stomach parasites after she "kept losing weight" and felt constantly hungry, despite eating a lot. She underwent testing, which revealed she had contracted the parasites during her trip to Morocco. Foy described the experience as "gross, absolutely rank," and said the parasites had been with her for about five years before she sought treatment. To combat the infection, Foy had to give up caffeine, which she had previously consumed in large quantities.

  • Foy was diagnosed with the stomach parasites after returning from a trip to Morocco.
  • Foy had been living with the parasites for about 5 years before seeking treatment.

The players

Claire Foy

A British actress known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series The Crown.

Cleveland Clinic

A renowned academic medical center that provides information on the treatment of parasitic infections.

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What they’re saying

“I kept losing weight, and I didn't know what was going on. I was just like, I'm eating everything. I was so hungry.”

— Claire Foy, Actress (The Table Manners Podcast)

“They travel as a pair, I got told by the doctor. Gross, absolutely rank. It's disgusting.”

— Claire Foy, Actress (The Table Manners Podcast)

“I had to give up — I basically had to go on this diet … I didn't want to take like really hardcore antibiotics.”

— Claire Foy, Actress (The Table Manners Podcast)

What’s next

Foy has remained caffeine-free since her treatment, as she found it too difficult to reintroduce it into her diet.

The takeaway

Foy's experience highlights the challenges that can come with treating parasitic infections, which often require significant lifestyle changes and the use of medications. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking proper medical care, especially when traveling to areas where such infections are more common.