Does Dan Buettner Eat Meat? The Truth Behind His Plant-Based Diet

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

After an interview with a heart surgeon who described the 'crunchy' arteries of meat-eaters, longevity expert Dan Buettner gave up meat entirely, though he notes that people in the Blue Zones eat meat sparingly. This has led to confusion over whether Dan Buettner eat meat himself and how his personal choices align with his famous research findings.

Quick Summary

Dan Buettner personally follows an almost entirely plant-based diet and has abstained from meat since a powerful conversation with a surgeon. He advocates for a plant-slant diet, but acknowledges Blue Zone centenarians consume small amounts of meat on occasion.

Key Points

No Meat Personally: Dan Buettner follows an almost entirely plant-based diet and does not eat meat.
Inspired by an Interview: He was motivated to give up meat after hearing a surgeon describe the 'crunchy' arteries of meat-eaters.
Blue Zones Eat Meat Sparingly: The general Blue Zone diet is not strictly vegetarian, but meat is consumed infrequently, about five times per month in small portions.
Beans are a Cornerstone: Both Buettner's personal diet and the broader Blue Zone recommendations emphasize a high intake of beans and legumes.
It's a 'Plant Slant': The Blue Zones diet is 95% to 100% plant-based, not exclusively meat-free.
Meat Quality Matters: When meat is consumed in the Blue Zones, it typically comes from free-roaming, grass-fed animals.
Moderation is Key: Buettner’s personal diet is a more extreme version of the moderation practiced by the centenarians he studies.

Dan Buettner's Personal Dietary Choices

While Dan Buettner is the public face of the Blue Zones research, his personal diet is a step beyond the typical recommendations for those longevity hotspots. According to multiple interviews, Buettner states that he does not eat any meat at all and follows a diet that is "about 98% plant-based". This personal choice was catalyzed by a memorable interview he conducted with a Seventh-day Adventist heart surgeon, who described the arteries of meat-eaters as being "crunchy" due to cholesterol buildup, a vivid image that cemented Buettner's decision to forgo meat forever.

Buettner's daily diet is heavily influenced by the staples he found most prevalent in the Blue Zones. He often eats just two meals a day, typically between an 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. window, and beans are a non-negotiable cornerstone of both meals. He has even dubbed himself the "king of beans" and highlights their incredible nutritional value for longevity. His meals are rich in whole foods, like beans, vegetables, and whole grains, shunning the ultra-processed items common in the American diet.

The Blue Zones Diet: A "Plant Slant" Approach

It is crucial to differentiate Buettner's personal, highly restrictive diet from the eating patterns observed in the Blue Zones themselves. While Buettner has eliminated meat, the people in the Blue Zones generally do not. Instead, their approach is a "plant slant," with plant-based foods making up around 95% of their daily caloric intake. Meat, including pork, chicken, and lamb, is typically consumed very sparingly, often reserved for special occasions, or as a small side dish for flavor, rather than the centerpiece of a meal.

The average Blue Zone resident eats around 20 pounds of meat per year, a stark contrast to the average American's yearly consumption of over 200 pounds. In places like Sardinia, meat might be part of a Sunday meal, while in Nicoya, it might be consumed a few times a week. The key is moderation, not elimination. Furthermore, any meat consumed is typically from grass-fed, free-roaming animals, a far cry from the industrialized meat production in many parts of the world. The exception to this rule is the Seventh-day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California, a group known for its largely vegetarian diet.

Staple Foods in a Blue Zones Inspired Diet

Based on his extensive research, Buettner recommends focusing on a range of whole, plant-based foods that are affordable and accessible. A typical diet includes:

Beans and Legumes: Black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and fava beans are central to almost every Blue Zone diet.
Vegetables: Leafy greens, sweet potatoes, squash, and other seasonal vegetables are abundant.
Whole Grains: Sourdough and 100% whole grain breads are preferred over heavily processed alternatives.
Nuts and Seeds: A daily handful of nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios is a common habit.
Olive Oil: Found in places like Sardinia and Ikaria, olive oil is a key source of healthy fats.

Comparison: Buettner's Diet vs. General Blue Zones Findings


Dietary Component	Dan Buettner's Personal Diet	General Blue Zones Findings
Meat	None (100% avoided)	Infrequent, small portions (approx. 5 times per month)
Dairy	Minimized	Minimized, goat/sheep dairy occasionally
Beans	Cornerstone of every meal	Cornerstone of every meal
Fish	Not consumed	Consumed occasionally in some zones
Processed Foods	Avoided	Minimized or avoided entirely

Buettner's Motivation: From Observation to Conviction

Buettner's journey from studying Blue Zone diets to fully adopting a plant-based lifestyle is a testament to the power of his findings. He initially approached the research as a neutral observer, and his diet at the time reflected the typical meat-heavy American eating pattern. However, the overwhelming evidence he gathered from his decades of work profoundly influenced his personal life. The simple, whole-food-based patterns of the centenarians, combined with the visceral description from the surgeon, led to his personal conviction that a near-total plant-based approach was the best path for his own longevity. He now promotes this approach in his recipes and books, creating plant-based meals that are both delicious and healthy, proving that meat is not necessary for culinary enjoyment.

Conclusion

So, does Dan Buettner eat meat? No, not anymore. His personal diet is almost entirely plant-based. However, the Blue Zones founder makes a clear distinction between his personal choice and his research findings. The Blue Zone diet itself is characterized by a plant-slant approach, where meat is consumed infrequently and in small portions, not outright eliminated. By adopting a diet rich in beans, whole grains, and fresh produce, individuals can emulate the health benefits of the world's longest-lived populations. Buettner's journey from a casual meat-eater to a dedicated plant-based advocate illustrates a personal and powerful endorsement of the longevity principles he discovered. His own diet represents a maximalist interpretation of the wisdom gleaned from the Blue Zones, offering an even more restrictive template for those seeking to follow his example.

For more detailed information and recipes inspired by the diets of the longest-living people, you can visit the official Blue Zones website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Dan Buettner does not eat meat. He has stated that his diet is about 98% plant-based and that he permanently gave up meat after a conversation with a heart surgeon.

Dan Buettner stopped eating meat after an interview with a heart surgeon. The surgeon’s vivid description of the cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries of meat-eaters was enough to convince Buettner to eliminate it from his diet.

No, the Blue Zones diet is not strictly vegetarian, but it is heavily plant-based, with plant foods making up 95% to 100% of the diet. Most Blue Zone residents eat meat very sparingly, typically five times or less per month in small, two-ounce portions.

The main difference is that Dan Buettner completely abstains from meat, while the Blue Zones diet allows for small, infrequent portions of meat. Buettner’s personal diet represents a stricter, more maximalist version of the longevity principles he observed in his research.

Dan Buettner's diet is rich in plant-based whole foods. His staples include beans, whole grains (like sourdough bread), vegetables, nuts, and seeds. He has a particular fondness for beans, which he eats at least a cup of daily.

No, not all people in the Blue Zones eat meat. The Seventh-day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California, for example, is predominantly vegetarian. In other Blue Zones, meat consumption is just very limited.

Buettner’s research indicates that very low meat consumption is associated with longevity, and he personally avoids it. However, the overall Blue Zones diet emphasizes extreme moderation rather than outright prohibition, suggesting small, infrequent portions of high-quality meat may be tolerated.