Exploring the Plant-Based Approach: What diet did Ariana Grande use?

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Since going vegan in 2013 for ethical and health reasons, fans have often wondered what diet did Ariana Grande use to maintain her energy and health. Her dietary approach centers on a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, emphasizing nutrient-rich, unprocessed foods.

Quick Summary

Ariana Grande has followed a whole-food, plant-based diet since 2013, inspired by ethical and health values. Her meals focus on nutrient-rich ingredients like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and Japanese-inspired dishes, while largely avoiding processed foods.

Key Points

Veganism since 2013: Ariana Grande became a vegan in 2013, primarily for animal rights and personal health reasons.
Whole-food focus: Her diet prioritizes minimally processed, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, while limiting junk food.
Japanese macrobiotic influence: Some of her food choices, like daikon and adzuki beans, are influenced by a Japanese macrobiotic diet.
Hydration is key: She emphasizes staying well-hydrated throughout the day, drinking plenty of water and coconut water.
Balanced with fitness: Her dietary habits are complemented by a consistent fitness routine that includes walking 12,000 daily steps and targeted strength training.
Energy for performance: Eating plant-based proteins provides her with the high energy needed for her demanding stage performances.
Family dining challenges: She has humorously mentioned the challenges of her family, particularly her grandmother, forgetting her vegan dietary choices.

Ariana Grande's Shift to a Plant-Based Lifestyle

Ariana Grande's wellness journey has been a public topic of interest, particularly her dietary choices. In 2013, the star made a significant and public decision to adopt a 100% vegan diet, inspired by the documentary Forks Over Knives. Her commitment was driven by a deep love for animals and a personal quest for better health after realizing she had lived on too much junk food. This was a fundamental shift toward a diet rich in plant-based, whole foods and away from animal products and processed items.

The Core Principles of Grande's Diet

At its heart, Ariana Grande's diet is a testament to the principles of a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. She and her trainer, Harley Pasternak, have revealed that her approach is influenced by a Japanese macrobiotic diet, which emphasizes balance and simplicity through clean eating. This involves consuming minimally processed whole foods and avoiding animal products and nightshade vegetables like tomatoes. The strategy provides her with ample energy for her demanding performance schedule and promotes overall wellness.

Staple Foods and Typical Meals

Ariana's diet is built around a variety of nutritious plant-based foods. A typical day for her might include:

Breakfast: A wholesome smoothie, packed with fresh fruit, or a bowl of oats topped with nuts and berries. Smoothies, in particular, are a favorite, according to her trainer, often featuring berries, avocado, and greens.
Snacks: She opts for healthy, energy-sustaining snacks throughout the day, including coconut water for hydration, nuts like almonds and cashews, and roasted seaweed.
Lunch & Dinner: Her main meals often feature Japanese-inspired ingredients or hearty plant-based Italian food. Specifics include daikon, lotus, adzuki beans, and salads loaded with edamame. She enjoys simple avocado toast for lunch and heartier meals like vegan chicken scarpariello for dinner.

The Importance of Hydration

Proper hydration is a cornerstone of Grande's diet, especially given her active lifestyle and vocal demands. She consciously drinks plenty of water and also incorporates hydrating foods into her routine. This focus on staying hydrated supports her high energy levels and overall health, particularly important during strenuous tours.

A Balanced Lifestyle Beyond Nutrition

Grande's approach to wellness extends far beyond just food. Her personal trainer, Harley Pasternak, has outlined a holistic philosophy that balances healthy eating with a consistent fitness routine. This balanced and sustainable mindset is key to her long-term success and contrasts sharply with the quick-fix approaches of many fad diets.

The Fitness Component

Daily Steps: Grande prioritizes a high daily step count, often aiming for 12,000 steps. Her trainer revealed that she'll get her steps in on a treadmill while watching movies or through dancing.
Targeted Exercises: Her routine includes strength training focused on the lower body and core. Key exercises mentioned include lunges, glute bridges, and planks.
Consistency over Extremes: The philosophy is consistency and moderation, not extreme, unsustainable regimens. This approach ensures her body is properly conditioned without risking injury or burnout.

Grande's Diet vs. a Typical Western Diet

To understand the magnitude of her dietary shift, comparing it to a standard Western diet is helpful. This comparison highlights the benefits of her mindful approach.


Feature	Ariana Grande's Plant-Based Diet	Typical Western Diet
Protein Source	Primarily from plants (beans, nuts, seeds, tofu), with a focus on whole-food sources.	Primarily from animals (meat, poultry, dairy).
Saturated Fat	Very low, naturally occurring in whole plant foods.	High, from fatty meats and dairy products.
Fiber Intake	High, from a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.	Often low, especially if relying heavily on processed foods.
Processed Foods	Consumed in minimal amounts, with an emphasis on fresh, whole ingredients.	High consumption of refined grains, added sugars, and processed snacks.
Health Focus	Holistic, aiming for longevity and sustained energy.	Often focused on short-term fixes or high-calorie convenience.

Conclusion: A Lifestyle of Conscious Choices

What diet did Ariana Grande use? It is not merely a question of what she eats, but a reflection of her broader commitment to a healthy and ethical lifestyle. Her adherence to a whole-food, plant-based diet since 2013 has been foundational to maintaining her high energy levels and overall well-being. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods, prioritizing hydration, and pairing her nutrition with a consistent fitness routine, she demonstrates that a demanding career doesn't have to compromise health. Her journey is a testament to the power of conscious eating and living in harmony with one's values, inspiring many fans along the way.

The Plant-Based Approach to Health

For those considering a similar path, Ariana Grande's diet offers valuable insights into a sustainable and energizing plant-based lifestyle. By embracing whole foods and mindful consumption, it is possible to achieve both robust health and a clear conscience.

Center for Nutrition Studies: An Introduction to the Whole Food, Plant-Based, SOS -Free Diet

Frequently Asked Questions

Ariana Grande uses a whole-food, plant-based diet. She has been a vegan since 2013, focusing on minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans.

She became a vegan in 2013 due to her deep love for animals and for personal health reasons, after realizing her former diet was high in junk food.

Her meals often include smoothies or oatmeal for breakfast, healthy snacks like nuts, berries, and seaweed, and Japanese-inspired meals or plant-based Italian dishes for lunch and dinner.

Her diet is generally a whole-food, plant-based approach with influences from a Japanese macrobiotic diet, focusing on simple, balanced meals and unprocessed foods.

Some of her favorite foods include strawberries, blueberries, almonds, cashews, daikon, lotus, adzuki beans, and salads with edamame.

Her diet is paired with a consistent fitness routine that includes walking 12,000 steps a day and targeted strength training exercises like lunges and glute bridges.

To manage her diet while traveling, she relies on pre-planning and healthy, portable snacks like fruits and nuts. When dining out, she sticks to what she knows: fruits, veggies, and salads.

Yes, she has humorously shared the challenges of dining with her Italian-American family, who sometimes forget her dietary preferences and offer her meatballs.