Does Sam Sulek Eat Meat? A Breakdown of the Bodybuilder's Diet

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

While famously documented consuming processed and fast foods, Sam Sulek's diet also includes significant quantities of meat to support his bodybuilding goals, particularly for his high-protein needs. The question of does Sam Sulek eat meat is often asked due to his unconventional food choices, but his intake of quality animal protein is a core part of his nutritional strategy.

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at Sam Sulek's dietary habits, revealing how and why he incorporates various meat and protein sources during both muscle-building and fat-loss periods to meet his high caloric and macro goals.

Key Points

Yes, Sam Sulek eats meat, incorporating a variety of sources in his diet.
Protein sources vary significantly between his bulking and cutting phases. During bulking, he includes fattier cuts like ribeye, while his cutting diet features very lean options such as 96% ground beef and turkey.
He prefers whole-food protein over shakes for greater satiety. Sulek has expressed that solid food is more filling, which helps him manage high caloric goals.
Red meat is a consistent protein source in his diet. He consumes red meat daily, citing improved energy levels and overall well-being.
Sulek's diet is highly specific to his bodybuilding goals. His nutrition plan is tailored for his rigorous training and is not a general recommendation for the public.
Meat is a key part of his macro-tracking strategy. He consciously manages his protein intake through meat to achieve his target macronutrient goals.

Despite his reputation for an unconventional approach to food, which often features junk food during his bulking phases, a closer look reveals that animal protein is a fundamental part of Sam Sulek's nutritional strategy. His dietary choices are dictated by the demands of his current bodybuilding phase, whether bulking to add size or cutting to get lean. His preference for whole-food protein sources, including various types of meat, demonstrates a calculated approach beneath the surface of his viral content.

Sam Sulek's Bulking Diet: Fueling Growth with Meat

When in a bulking phase, where the primary goal is muscle and weight gain, Sam Sulek focuses on maintaining a high caloric surplus. During his 2024 bulking phase, he openly shared a grocery haul that included several key meat products.

Ground Beef: He was seen purchasing ground beef, often opting for a 90/10 fat-to-protein ratio. This provides a balance of protein and the extra calories needed for growth.
Ribeye Steak: Sulek included ribeye steaks on his list, a calorie-dense and flavorful red meat choice to contribute to his overall daily intake.
Tilapia and Sardines: To round out his protein sources, he also added fish like tilapia and sardines. The sardines, in particular, offer nutritional density and healthy fats.

This variety of meat, combined with other high-calorie items like milk, cereal, and donuts, helps him achieve the substantial caloric intake necessary for a bodybuilding bulk.

The Role of Meat in Sulek's Cutting Phase

During a cutting phase, the objective shifts to fat loss while preserving muscle mass. This requires a much leaner diet and a more careful selection of protein sources. Sam Sulek adapts by focusing on higher-protein, lower-fat food choices.

Lean Red Meat: During his cutting phase, Sulek has specifically mentioned relying on leaner red meat options to meet his protein and fat intake requirements.
Turkey: He has documented eating turkey sandwiches, noting the high-protein and low-fat content as beneficial for his deficit diet.
Lean Ground Beef: His grocery lists for cutting feature very lean beef, such as 96% lean ground beef, ensuring he gets a concentrated protein source without excess calories from fat.

By adjusting the leanness of his meat and his preparation methods (e.g., cooking beef and rice in bulk), he can manage his macros effectively while still enjoying a satisfying diet.

Comparison of Bulking vs. Cutting Protein Sources


Feature	Bulking Phase	Cutting Phase
Protein Focus	High volume, balancing fat for extra calories.	Very lean, high protein concentration.
Meat Variety	Ribeye steaks, 90/10 ground beef, tilapia, sardines.	Lean ground beef (96%), top sirloin steak, turkey.
Preparation	Often bulk-prepared beef and rice, supplemented by fast food.	Primarily batch-cooked lean meats with carbs like rice, minimizing fast food.
Rationale	Maximize caloric intake for muscle growth, using a mix of sources.	Prioritize lean protein to spare muscle tissue while in a calorie deficit.

Why Sulek Prefers Whole Foods for Protein

Sam Sulek has stated a preference for whole-food protein sources over protein shakes when possible, even while acknowledging the convenience of supplements.

Satiety: He notes that solid food is more filling than a shake. For someone consuming a high volume of food, feeling satiated helps manage hunger and cravings.
Micronutrients: While supplements are useful, whole foods like meat, fish, and eggs provide a broader range of micronutrients essential for overall health and performance.
Enjoyment: Sulek's diet, even during cuts, includes meals he enjoys, such as properly cooked steak. This makes the diet more sustainable over the long term.

A Balanced Perspective on Sam Sulek's Diet

While the focus often falls on his junk food binges, it is clear that Sam Sulek does eat meat and relies on it for a substantial portion of his protein intake. His diet is highly specific to his bodybuilding goals and is supported by a meticulous tracking of macronutrients and disciplined training. It is not a template for the average person, and his context as a competitive bodybuilder using performance-enhancing drugs should be understood when viewing his nutritional methods. Ultimately, his use of meat demonstrates an understanding of fundamental bodybuilding nutrition, even when combined with less conventional food choices.

For an in-depth look at how Sulek structures his diet during different phases, check out the analysis of his bulking and cutting strategies by BarBend.

Conclusion: The Answer is Yes

In short, the answer to "Does Sam Sulek eat meat?" is a definitive yes. His diet, while polarizing and at times seemingly haphazard, is structured around solid protein sources, including various types of meat. The specific quantity and leanness change depending on whether he is bulking or cutting, but meat remains a consistent element in his nutrition plan. This practice is aligned with the core principles of high-protein intake necessary for competitive bodybuilding, despite the unusual food pairings that have made him a viral sensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

During his bulking phase, Sam Sulek consumes a variety of meats, including ribeye steaks, 90/10 ground beef, and fatty fish like sardines to support his high caloric and protein needs.

Yes, during his cutting phase, Sam Sulek focuses on leaner meat sources to reduce fat intake while maintaining high protein. Examples include 96% lean ground beef, top sirloin steak, and turkey.

Sam Sulek prefers consuming protein from whole foods like meat because it is more filling than a protein shake, which helps him feel satiated while consuming a high volume of food.

He often batch-cooks large quantities of meat and keeps it ready to scoop into meals, a technique that helps minimize meal prep time and ensure consistent availability.

Sulek's diet is highly specialized for competitive bodybuilding and includes unconventional food choices. While he consumes whole foods like meat, his approach is not a standard health model and should be considered within the context of his extreme goals.

While he has included chicken in his past diets, sources indicate he has opted for other protein sources like beef and fish, sometimes skipping the typical chicken and rice meal prep staple.

No, based on his shared grocery lists and dietary discussions, meat remains a fundamental component of his nutrition plan, providing a consistent source of protein and fat regardless of his current training phase.