The Origins of Joanna Lumley's Vegetarianism
Joanna Lumley's decision to stop eating meat and fish was not a gradual one, but rather a sudden moment of realization. In an interview with Tom Parker Bowles, she recalled the pivotal moment decades ago when she was cutting into a steak. Seeing the cooked meat and realizing its origin as a living creature, she made the immediate decision to stop consuming both meat and fish. This was a profound connection between her love for animals and her dietary habits that has endured for over 40 years. This commitment aligns with her broader work as an ardent animal rights campaigner and activist.
The Reason Behind the Shift
Her long-standing ethical stance is a primary driver for her diet. She once told a magazine that she doesn't "like the idea of any creature having to lose its life to keep me alive". This deeply held belief has guided her advocacy work and personal food choices for more than four decades. Her support for animal welfare organizations, such as Compassion in World Farming and the Born Free Foundation, further solidifies her position. She uses her public platform to raise awareness about the horrors of factory farming and the live animal export trade.
Vegetarian, but Not a Vegan
While Joanna Lumley is a committed vegetarian, she has made it clear that she is not a vegan. The main reason she cites for this is her fondness for cheese. In a 2021 appearance on the 'Table Manners' podcast, she explained that becoming a vegan would be the 'next step' but admitted her love for cheese prevented her from making the full transition. This reveals a practical consideration in her dietary ethics, where she draws the line at meat and fish but still enjoys certain dairy products. This distinction is important for understanding the specific nature of her dietary choices, which are ethically motivated but not absolute to the extent of strict veganism.
The Fish-Related Supplement Confession
In a quirky admission from a 2004 interview with The Times, Lumley revealed a contradiction to her vegetarian stance. She confessed to taking a beauty supplement called Imedeen, which, at the time, was made from fish scales, fins, and bones. She jokingly referred to herself as a "bad vegetarian" for this transgression but stated she had been taking it for years for her skin. This revelation highlights the complexities that can arise even for committed vegetarians when it comes to unexpected ingredients in non-food products.
Comparison of Joanna Lumley's Diet: Pre- and Post-Vegetarian
| Feature | Pre-Vegetarian Diet | Joanna Lumley's Diet Today (Vegetarian) |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | Consumed, including steak | Not consumed (stopped in her late 20s) |
| Fish | Likely consumed | Not consumed |
| Dairy | Yes | Yes (Loves cheese) |
| Focus | Less defined, included animal products | Heavy focus on vegetables and raw foods |
| Motivation | Standard eating habits | Ethical commitment to animal welfare |
| Snacking | Varied, less emphasis on healthy grazing | Prefers grazing on nuts and crisps rather than large meals |
| Health Perception | Not specified | Attributes her health to her vegetarian lifestyle |
Her Healthy Eating Philosophy
Beyond her avoidance of meat and fish, Joanna Lumley follows a sensible, balanced approach to eating. She favors a diet of mostly vegetables and prefers grazing throughout the day rather than eating large meals. This practical approach includes a love for raw vegetables and making her own coleslaw. She often speaks about the importance of not over-eating, another pillar of her healthy lifestyle. She also famously stated that her exercise routine involves simply running up and down the stairs of her "tall thin house".
The False 'Returning to Fish' Story
Confusion has sometimes arisen over her diet, particularly on social media platforms. Some posts on Facebook have circulated unsubstantiated stories claiming she returned to eating fish due to health problems, even citing a specific influencer's account. These stories appear to be the result of a misattribution, as the details do not align with Lumley's publicly confirmed statements or her long-standing ethical position. The rumors were likely based on a different individual's experience and mistakenly linked to the actress.
Conclusion: A Clear and Consistent Stance
To definitively answer the question, Joanna Lumley does not eat fish. She has maintained a consistent and ethical vegetarian diet for over four decades, rooted in her profound love for animals and her work as an animal welfare activist. While she acknowledges a love for cheese and once confessed to taking a fish-based supplement, these small details do not change her overall commitment to a fish and meat-free diet. Her stance is clear, consistent, and has been publicly reaffirmed many times over the years, debunking any persistent rumors to the contrary.
The Advocacy Continues
Joanna Lumley's influence goes beyond her personal diet; it is an active part of her public advocacy. She has participated in campaigns like 'No Meat May' and regularly speaks out against animal cruelty. This makes her dietary choices a consistent part of her wider humanitarian and environmental mission, using her platform to encourage others to consider reducing or eliminating their consumption of animal products. Her legacy, both on-screen and off, is intrinsically linked to her deep-seated belief in a kinder, more compassionate world for animals.
