Does Carrie Underwood Eat Sugar? Her Diet and Indulgences Revealed

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to numerous interviews, singer Carrie Underwood avoids processed and added sugars as part of her healthy, primarily plant-based diet. While she doesn't consume sugary snacks or fast food, she does permit herself some occasional indulgences, practicing a balanced approach rather than strict perfection.

Quick Summary

Country star Carrie Underwood largely avoids processed sugars and emphasizes whole, plant-based foods in her diet. She allows herself moderate treats, such as dark chocolate or red wine, prioritizing overall wellness and balance over strict restriction. Her philosophy involves mindful, home-cooked meals.

Key Points

Minimizes Processed Sugars: Carrie Underwood consciously reduces processed foods and added sugars in her diet, opting for home-cooked meals to maintain control.
Consumes Natural Sugars: She gets her sugar from natural sources like fruits, often enjoying berries and apples as snacks.
Embraces Occasional Indulgences: Underwood allows for moderate, controlled treats such as small squares of dark chocolate or a glass of red wine, demonstrating a philosophy of balance, not perfection.
Follows a Plant-Based Diet: She describes herself as a “wannabe vegan” and adheres to a primarily plant-based regimen rich in vegetables, proteins like tofu, and healthy carbohydrates.
Holistic Approach to Wellness: Her dietary choices are part of a comprehensive wellness routine that also includes consistent exercise and proper hydration.
Emphasizes Whole Foods: Her core belief is in keeping things as simple and close to nature as possible, avoiding ultra-processed options.

Carrie Underwood's Dietary Philosophy: Whole Foods Over Processed

Carrie Underwood’s approach to nutrition is centered on a whole-food, plant-based diet, a shift she made after realizing her earlier restrictive habits were unsustainable. The "wannabe vegan," as she calls herself, focuses on natural, unprocessed ingredients. This inherently means she minimizes her intake of refined sugars, which are abundant in processed foods. Instead of relying on sugary treats for a quick boost, she opts for more nutritious options that fuel her demanding lifestyle as a performer.

Limiting Added and Processed Sugars

Underwood actively reduces processed foods and added sugars, a conscious choice to maintain her health and energy. This approach aligns with broader nutritional advice recommending a reduction in high-fructose corn syrup and other refined sweeteners found in many pre-packaged meals, fast food, and soda. Her preference for cooking her own meals allows her to control exactly what goes into her food, ensuring she avoids hidden sugars that are often present in restaurant dishes and convenience foods.

The Role of Natural Sugars in Her Diet

While avoiding added sugars, Carrie Underwood does consume natural sugars found in whole foods. A typical snack for her might include almonds and apples, or dried fruit with no added sugar. These natural sources provide energy and fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes satiety. Her consumption of berries, which are high in antioxidants and natural sugars, further illustrates her preference for nutrient-dense food sources.

Carrie's Occasional Indulgences

Underwood believes in balance, not perfection. While she isn't a fan of typical desserts, she does enjoy a few indulgences in moderation. A small amount of super dark chocolate is a reported treat, and she has also mentioned enjoying red wine. These small, mindful indulgences prevent her from feeling overly restricted, which can sometimes lead to unhealthy eating patterns.

The 45-30-25 Macronutrient Split

As a performer, Underwood tracks her macronutrients to ensure she is adequately fueled for her busy schedule. She follows a specific ratio: 45% carbohydrates, 30% fat, and 25% protein. This framework ensures her body receives enough carbohydrates for energy, which is particularly important for high-energy concerts. Her emphasis, however, is on complex carbohydrates from whole food sources, not simple sugars from processed foods.

A Comparison: Carrie Underwood's Diet vs. Standard American Diet

To better understand her dietary discipline, a comparison with the standard American diet (SAD) is illustrative:


Aspect	Carrie Underwood's Diet	Standard American Diet (SAD)
Sugar Intake	Primarily from natural sources like fruit; avoids processed and added sugars.	High intake of added sugars from soda, candy, desserts, and processed foods.
Dietary Focus	Plant-based, whole foods; often cooks at home to control ingredients.	Heavily processed, often reliant on convenient, pre-packaged meals and fast food.
Protein Sources	Tofu, plant-based protein, eggs from her own chickens.	Predominantly meat and dairy, with less emphasis on plant-based alternatives.
Treats and Vices	Controlled, moderate indulgences like dark chocolate and red wine.	Frequent consumption of high-sugar, high-fat desserts, snacks, and sugary beverages.
Dietary Consistency	Sticks to a disciplined routine, even while traveling, by preparing her own food.	Often unpredictable, relying on convenience which leads to inconsistent nutrient intake.

The Holistic Picture of Carrie Underwood's Health

Her dietary choices are part of a larger wellness routine that includes regular exercise, hydration, and mindful eating. This balanced approach, with an emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods and a minimization of processed sugar, allows her to maintain her physique, energy levels, and vocal health. By focusing on overall health rather than just the number on a scale, she has developed a sustainable and positive relationship with food. The occasional piece of dark chocolate or glass of wine isn't a cheat meal, but rather a deliberate choice within a larger framework of balance and discipline.

Conclusion: More Than a Simple Yes or No

So, does Carrie Underwood eat sugar? The answer is nuanced. While she meticulously avoids added and processed sugars found in junk food, she does consume natural sugars from fruits and allows for small, controlled indulgences like dark chocolate. Her overall philosophy prioritizes a plant-based, whole-foods diet that provides sustained energy and supports her rigorous schedule, proving that a healthy and disciplined lifestyle can still include a few mindful treats.

Visit her official website for more on her lifestyle and projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Carrie Underwood follows a primarily plant-based, whole-foods diet and describes herself as a 'wannabe vegan'. She emphasizes natural, unprocessed ingredients and cooks her own meals to control her food intake.

Yes, Carrie Underwood does eat chocolate, but in moderation. She specifically mentions enjoying a few squares of super dark chocolate when she has a craving, rather than indulging in sugary, processed desserts.

Yes, Carrie Underwood has mentioned that her 'vice' is red wine, which she enjoys in moderation. She often has a glass or two as a treat and to relax.

She manages her sugar intake by avoiding processed and added sugars, consuming only the natural sugars found in whole foods like fruits. Her diet focuses on complex carbohydrates, not refined sugars.

Her favorite healthy snacks include almonds, apples, dried fruit without added sugar, and raw fruit and nut bars. She also enjoys green smoothies and hummus with veggies.

No, early in her career, she followed a very restrictive, low-calorie diet that she later realized was unsustainable and unhealthy. She has since adopted a more balanced and nourishing approach with the help of nutritionists.

She describes her diet as 95% vegan and calls herself a "wannabe vegan". She has mentioned that she sometimes includes eggs from her own backyard chickens and occasionally has some cheese, but otherwise avoids meat and dairy.