Bear Grylls' Shift from Vegan to Animal-Based Diet
For years, Bear Grylls cultivated a public image that included promoting veganism and even releasing a related cookbook in 2015. However, in recent years, the adventurer has publicly reversed his position, expressing regret and embarrassment over his past advocacy for a plant-based lifestyle. Citing negative health experiences, he has now become a proponent of an animal-based diet.
Grylls' decision was heavily influenced by a personal belief that raw vegetables were negatively impacting his health, leading to issues like kidney pain. He has since been guided by the principles of an "ancestral way of living," advocating for a diet centered around what he believes human ancestors would have eaten. This shift has been controversial, drawing criticism from nutrition experts and environmentalists who contest his claims about the health and environmental impacts of a meat-heavy diet.
What Exactly Is in Bear Grylls' Diet?
While the adventurous spirit of his television shows might lead one to believe his diet is strictly protein from the wild, his at-home eating habits are more structured. He builds his meals around nutrient-dense animal products, complemented by other natural foods.
Key components of his current diet include:
- Grass-fed red meat and organ meats, particularly liver, which he consumes every few days.
- A significant amount of eggs, often cooked in grass-fed butter.
- Dairy products, such as Greek yogurt and raw dairy.
- Natural sweeteners and carbohydrates like honey, fruit, and sometimes white rice or potatoes.
- He deliberately avoids processed foods, refined grains, gluten, and seed oils.
The Controversial Stance on Vegetables
Grylls' diet is not just about eating meat; it's also defined by what he avoids. He has publicly stated his skepticism of the benefits of vegetables, claiming they contain "defense chemicals" and have a lower nutrient density compared to animal products. This stance is in direct opposition to mainstream nutritional guidance, which consistently recommends a diet rich in vegetables.
His transition has been criticized by figures in the health community. For instance, dietitian Stephanie McBurnett warns that diets high in red meat are linked to heart disease and increased cholesterol. The environmental implications of a meat-heavy diet have also been widely debated, with many pointing to studies that link meat production to high greenhouse gas emissions.
Comparing Bear Grylls' Past and Present Diets
To understand the magnitude of his shift, let's compare his diet at different points in his career:
| Feature | Vegan/Plant-Based Phase | Animal-Based Diet (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Plant-based foods, raw juices, salads, vegetables. | Grass-fed red meat, liver, eggs, and raw dairy. |
| Protein Sources | Vegan protein sources, less emphasis on meat. | Animal-based proteins, including muscle and organ meats. |
| Fat Sources | Healthy fats from plant sources like seeds and nuts (he now avoids nuts). | Saturated fats from animal products like butter and tallow. |
| Carbohydrate Sources | Vegetables, grains, and possibly nuts. | Fruit, honey, and sometimes white rice or potato. |
| Avoided Foods | Processed items, sugar, dairy, and wheat during his 'Fuel for Life' phase. | Most vegetables, grains, gluten, seed oils, and processed foods. |
| Justification | Believed it was healthier and better for the environment. | Claims it improved his vitality, strength, skin, and gut health. |
Conclusion: A Nuanced Answer
The notion that Bear Grylls only eats meat is an oversimplification. While he has publicly championed a meat-dominant, animal-based lifestyle, his diet is not exclusively carnivorous. He purposefully includes other natural foods like fruit, honey, and dairy, while intentionally excluding vegetables, processed products, and certain plant-based fats. His transition from a vegan advocate to a meat proponent has sparked significant debate and is a reflection of his own personal health journey, not a universal dietary recommendation. Always consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes, as expert opinions on meat-heavy diets and their health effects vary greatly.
His Survival Diet vs. Home Diet
- Survival vs. Home: Grylls' dramatic on-camera survival eating, such as consuming raw insects and animal organs, differs from his everyday diet at home. His home meals are typically cooked steaks, eggs, and dairy, prepared to be more palatable.
- Meat, Not Just Meat: He describes his diet as "animal-based," which, crucially, includes eggs, raw dairy, and natural sugars like honey and fruit, in addition to red meat and organ meats.
- Exclusion, Not Just Inclusion: A core part of his diet is the deliberate exclusion of foods he believes are harmful, such as processed items, seed oils, and most vegetables, which he views as lacking in nutritional value compared to animal products.
- Influenced by 'Ancestral' Ideas: Grylls' current eating habits are influenced by Paul Saladino, a figure in the carnivore diet community, promoting an "ancestral" style of eating.
- Personal Health Claim: He cites his own improved health, including better gut health and skin, as the primary reason for his dietary shift from plant-based to animal-based.
