Does Naomi Campbell Eat Once a Day? Inside the Supermodel's Unique Diet

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2020, supermodel Naomi Campbell revealed to the Wall Street Journal that she typically only eats one main meal per day, usually at lunchtime. This sparked widespread interest and curiosity regarding her dietary approach and whether it constitutes a true 'one meal a day' plan.

Quick Summary

An exploration of Naomi Campbell's publicized eating habits, from her single daily meal preference to her personal chef's revelations about her diet restrictions. The article also covers her use of strategic fasting and the inclusion of treat days.

Key Points

Single Main Meal: Naomi Campbell has stated she primarily eats one main meal per day, typically at lunchtime.
Flexibility is Key: She emphasizes listening to her body and does not rigidly adhere to a strict one-meal plan, sometimes opting for only juices or water.
Treat Days: Sundays are designated as 'treat days' where she allows herself desserts and childhood favorites, though often gluten- and dairy-free.
Dietary Restrictions: With the help of her personal chef, she avoids gluten, dairy, and chicken, focusing on a clean, flavorful, plant-based diet with fish.
Cleansing History: She has a long history of utilizing fasting and detox cleanses, such as the Master Cleanse, for body purification.
Wellness, Not Starvation: Campbell maintains her diet is about mindful wellness and body maintenance, not starvation.

The Core of Naomi Campbell's Eating Philosophy

Naomi Campbell's approach to eating is less about a strict regimen and more about intuitive, mindful consumption, according to her own statements. While she has confirmed she often eats just one meal, primarily lunch, her overall diet is far from simple. Her lifestyle integrates periods of restrictive eating with occasional indulgences, all while focusing on high-quality, flavorful food, as detailed by her longtime personal chef, Sean John.

Campbell has emphasized that she doesn't "starve" herself and listens to her body's needs. This means that on some days, she might only feel like having juices or water, especially in hot weather. This flexibility is a key aspect of her diet and distinguishes it from a rigid, daily OMAD (one-meal-a-day) protocol.

What a Typical Day Might Look Like

Morning: Campbell starts her day with hot water and lemon to cleanse her system, a habit she has spoken about publicly. Instead of coffee, which she does not drink, she might opt for green juice or herbal tea.
Lunch (The Main Meal): Her primary meal is usually a single, substantial lunch prepared by her personal chef. This meal is reportedly "super clean and really healthy," focusing on a plant-based diet with fish. Her chef confirms she avoids gluten, dairy, and chicken, and insists on flavorful, well-spiced dishes.
Afternoon/Evening: The rest of the day typically involves drinking plenty of water or more green juice, depending on her energy levels and feelings of hunger.
Sunday (Treat Day): One notable exception to her routine is Sunday, which she reserves for treats. During these weekend indulgences, she might bake desserts, cakes, or puddings, often made with gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives.

A History of Fasting and Cleanses

Long before discussing her one-meal-a-day habit, Naomi Campbell was known for using fasting as a way to prepare for fashion shows or simply to cleanse her body. She has mentioned to Oprah Winfrey that she has done the 'Master Cleanse' several times, a detox diet consisting of a liquid mix of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. The longest she completed this particular cleanse was 18 days. This shows a long-standing pattern of utilizing both short and extended periods of fasting as part of her overall wellness strategy.

The Role of Her Personal Chef

Sean John, Campbell's personal chef of over a decade, has provided significant insight into her specific dietary constraints. His testimony confirms that her diet is highly structured, even if it appears flexible from the outside. The avoidance of certain food groups like gluten, dairy, and chicken is a non-negotiable part of her plan. This level of control, even on a one-meal-a-day schedule, is a hallmark of her disciplined lifestyle and ensures her food is always clean, healthy, and high-quality.

Comparison: Naomi Campbell's Diet vs. Traditional OMAD


Feature	Naomi Campbell's Diet	Traditional OMAD (One Meal A Day)
Daily Frequency	Often one meal (lunch), but variable; sometimes just juice or water.	Strictly one large meal within a single hour per 24-hour period.
Flexibility	Highly flexible, listening to her body's needs and hunger levels.	Rigid, with a fixed eating window and fasting period.
Food Restrictions	Strict dietary restrictions: avoids gluten, dairy, and chicken.	Typically, no food restrictions during the eating window, just a focus on consuming daily calories.
Indulgences	Dedicated 'treat day' on Sunday for desserts, often gluten- and dairy-free.	Indulgences must fit within the one-hour eating window.
Fasting Type	Combines frequent, flexible fasting with occasional, more extreme cleanses.	Consistent daily fasting, with the fast broken only for the one meal.

Conclusion: A Nuanced Approach to Eating

So, does Naomi Campbell eat once a day? The answer is a qualified 'yes.' Based on her own statements and her personal chef, her diet often involves consuming a single, nutrient-dense main meal during the day. However, calling it a conventional 'one meal a day' (OMAD) diet would be misleading. Her approach is characterized by significant flexibility, incorporating strategic fasting days with water or juice, and including planned indulgence days. Her overall diet is defined by conscious choices, such as avoiding gluten, dairy, and chicken, ensuring her food is always flavorful and clean. Her eating habits, shaped by years of discipline and a desire for wellness, are truly unique to her lifestyle.

Final Thoughts and Disclaimers

It is important to remember that celebrity diets are often tailored to their specific needs, access to resources (like a personal chef), and unique lifestyles. Any individual considering a similar eating pattern should consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to ensure it is appropriate and safe for their body.

To learn more about her general wellness routine, you can explore other interviews where she discusses her habits, such as this article from Us Weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Naomi Campbell has stated that she typically only eats one main meal a day, which she consumes at lunchtime. However, she also incorporates water, juices, and occasional treats into her overall diet.

According to her personal chef, her main meal is usually very clean and healthy, consisting of plant-based dishes with fish. She strictly avoids gluten, dairy, and chicken.

Yes, Naomi Campbell has a designated 'treat day' on Sundays, during which she enjoys desserts like cakes and puddings, though often using gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients.

The Master Cleanse is a detox diet she has followed, consisting only of a specific liquid mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper, which she has done for up to 18 days.

Besides her main meal, she drinks hot water with lemon in the morning, green juices throughout the day, and plenty of water, especially on days she doesn't feel like eating solid food.

Campbell has described her diet as a way to maintain wellness and feel her best. She doesn't view it as starvation, but rather as listening to her body and consuming clean, nutrient-rich foods.

No. A highly restrictive diet like Naomi Campbell's is not suitable for everyone and was likely designed for her specific lifestyle. Consulting a healthcare professional or registered dietitian is always recommended before making significant dietary changes.