Miley Cyrus has been a public figure whose personal and professional life has evolved dramatically over the years, and her diet is no exception. For many years, she was a prominent and vocal advocate for veganism, adopting a strict plant-based diet in 2013. This commitment was so strong that she even got a tattoo of the Vegan Society symbol. However, by 2019, Cyrus made a significant change to her eating habits, a decision she discussed openly with the public in 2020.
The Vegan Years: A Public Commitment
From 2013 to 2019, Miley Cyrus was known for her strict adherence to a vegan lifestyle. Her reasons for adopting this diet were tied to her love for animals and environmental concerns. During this period, she was a high-profile celebrity leading the vegan movement and was even honored at the Animal Rights National Conference. Her enthusiasm for the plant-based lifestyle was well-documented, with reports of her enjoying dishes like veggie tofu stir-fries and avocado sushi rolls.
The Shift Away from Strict Veganism
Despite her public commitment, Cyrus began experiencing health issues that she ultimately attributed to her restrictive diet. She reported suffering from "brain fog" and "intense joint pain". Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in 2020, she revealed that she felt she was "pretty malnourished" and was "running on empty" during her 2019 Glastonbury music festival performance. This experience led her to re-evaluate her nutritional needs and make a tough decision.
Becoming Pescatarian: The Reason for Change
Following her health concerns, Cyrus made the conscious choice to reintroduce fish and omega-3s into her diet in 2019. This change was difficult for her due to her strong emotional connection to animal welfare, and she reportedly cried when she ate fish for the first time in years. However, she explained that it was a necessary decision for her mental and physical well-being. The addition of fish and its omega-3 fatty acids, which she felt she was lacking, led to her feeling "so much sharper".
Comparing Veganism and Pescatarianism
While both veganism and pescatarianism center around a plant-based foundation, they differ significantly in their inclusion of animal products. The table below outlines the key differences between the two dietary patterns.
| Feature | Vegan Diet | Pescatarian Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Meat (Poultry/Red Meat) | Excluded | Excluded |
| Fish/Seafood | Excluded | Included |
| Dairy | Excluded | Excluded (often, as with Miley Cyrus) |
| Eggs | Excluded | Excluded (often, as with Miley Cyrus) |
| Primary Omega-3 Source | Plant-based (flax, chia, algae) | Fish, supplemented by plant sources |
| Vitamin B12 | Supplement or fortified foods | Found naturally in fish, plus supplements |
| Protein Sources | Plant-based (legumes, nuts, tofu) | Fish, plus plant-based sources |
Miley Cyrus's Current Diet
Since her transition in 2019, Miley Cyrus has followed a pescatarian and largely plant-based diet, avoiding meat, dairy, and eggs but including fish. She has publicly stated that she feels her body is better nourished with this approach. In addition to incorporating fish, she has also added gluten back into her diet, having previously followed a gluten-free and dairy-free plan. Her godmother, Dolly Parton, has commented on Miley's more discerning eating habits, noting that while she still loves Southern comfort food, she's more mindful of her choices now.
Nutritional Considerations for a Balanced Diet
As Cyrus's story illustrates, finding the right nutritional balance is highly individual. While a well-planned vegan diet can provide all necessary nutrients, it requires careful attention to key areas. For those considering a plant-based diet, here are some essential nutrients to focus on:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential for brain and heart health. Found in plant sources like flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, and algae-based supplements.
- Vitamin B12: Produced by bacteria, not plants or animals directly. Vegans must supplement or eat fortified foods.
- Iron: Plant-based sources like lentils, beans, spinach, and tofu are excellent, but absorption can be increased by pairing with vitamin C.
- Calcium and Vitamin D: Found in fortified plant milks, tofu, and leafy greens. Sunshine exposure and supplements are also important for vitamin D.
- Iodine: Can be found in iodized salt, seaweed, and some fortified plant milks.
For more insight into her evolving dietary choices, you can read more about her food philosophy in an article from Women's Health.
Conclusion: The Importance of Listening to Your Body
The story of Miley Cyrus's diet and her shift from veganism to pescatarianism is a powerful reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition. While veganism can be a healthy and sustainable choice, it may not be right for every individual. Cyrus's decision to listen to her body and make changes based on her health and well-being is a prime example of the importance of personal nutritional awareness. Ultimately, her experience underscores that maintaining a healthy diet is a flexible, ongoing journey of discovery and adaptation, rather than a fixed set of rules.
