The Evolving Breakfast of 'The Beast'
Eddie 'The Beast' Hall, the 2017 World's Strongest Man, is renowned for his immense size and strength. To sustain the extreme demands of his training and body mass, his nutritional intake, particularly his breakfast, is a subject of great fascination. The answer to how many calories does Eddie Hall eat for breakfast? is not a simple figure, as it depends on whether he was in his bulking strongman phase or his more recent weight-loss transition. A breakfast for Hall is less about a single meal and more about a strategic, calorie-dense fueling session designed for a specific purpose.
Strongman Bulking Phase: The Two-Breakfast Plan
During his time as a competitive strongman, Hall's mornings were a masterclass in high-volume eating. His regimen often involved not one, but two breakfasts to meet his astronomical calorie goals, which sometimes exceeded 16,000 calories a day.
His morning routine would begin early with a traditional, calorie-laden full English breakfast:
- 4 sausages
- 4 rashers of bacon
- 2 fried eggs
- 4 slices of fried bread
- Baked beans and tomatoes
- 2 slices of black pudding
- Served with orange juice and a liter of water
This first meal alone was estimated to contain between 1,700 and 2,000 calories. After this immense intake, Hall would often take a nap to allow his body to digest the food. This was followed by a second, equally significant breakfast to further fuel his day of intense training.
The second breakfast would typically consist of:
- 100 grams of oatmeal cooked with whole milk
- Honey and raisins
- Two kiwis and one banana
- A 70-gram bag of beef jerky
- Four scoops of whey protein
This secondary morning meal contributed another approximate 1,400 calories to his daily total. The purpose was not just to add calories, but to provide sustained energy from complex carbohydrates and protein for the grueling training sessions ahead.
The Carnivore Diet: A High-Protein Approach
In recent years, as Hall has transitioned from strongman to other competitive ventures like MMA, his diet has shifted dramatically. He has experimented with and promoted a carnivore diet, focusing solely on meat and animal products. On this diet, his breakfast became a different kind of calorie beast, albeit with a lower overall intake than his peak strongman days.
His carnivore breakfast was a concentrated, protein and fat-heavy meal:
- 100g of smoked salmon
- 5 scrambled eggs
- 300g of cottage cheese
- 500ml of full-fat milk
- 50g of butter
This breakfast provided a staggering 1,529 calories, with a focus on high protein and healthy fats to support muscle maintenance and recovery. Unlike his strongman diet, this version completely eliminates carbohydrates, relying on animal products for all energy and nutrients.
Strongman vs. Average Breakfast: A Comparative Table
To fully appreciate the scale of a strongman's diet, it is helpful to compare it to a typical person's breakfast. This highlights the nutritional and caloric extremes required to sustain such an intense athletic pursuit.
| Feature | Eddie Hall's Carnivore Breakfast | Typical Adult's Breakfast (e.g., Oatmeal) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~1,500-1,530 kcal | ~300-500 kcal |
| Protein | ~106-150g | ~10-20g |
| Carbohydrates | Minimal to zero | Significant (e.g., from oats, fruit) |
| Fats | Very high (from eggs, butter, fish, dairy) | Moderate (e.g., from nuts, butter) |
| Food Types | Meat, dairy, eggs only | Grains, fruits, dairy, moderate protein |
| Dietary Context | Part of a ~10,000 kcal/day carnivore diet | Part of a ~2,000 kcal/day balanced diet |
The Purpose Behind the Calories
Fueling Intense Workouts
Whether it's the high-carb fueling of his strongman days or the high-fat energy of his carnivore phase, the primary purpose of Hall's massive breakfasts is to provide fuel. Strongman and MMA training sessions burn thousands of calories and require immense energy stores. A substantial breakfast ensures the body has the immediate energy it needs to perform, followed by sustained fuel for longer sessions.
Facilitating Muscle Growth and Recovery
For a man of Hall's size, protein intake is crucial for muscle repair and growth. Both of his breakfast styles are extremely high in protein, far exceeding the needs of an average person. This protein is essential for rebuilding muscle fibers broken down during intense training. The high-fat content in his carnivore diet also plays a key role, particularly when carbohydrates are removed, as the body uses fat for fuel instead. The sheer volume of food is designed to facilitate anabolism, the process of building muscle.
A Word of Caution: Strongman Diets Are Not for Everyone
While Eddie Hall's nutritional strategies are effective for his specific athletic goals, they are not suitable for the average person. The calorie counts are far too high, and the macro breakdowns are imbalanced for general health. A diet like his requires an intense training regimen to utilize the energy; without it, such an intake would lead to rapid weight gain and serious health issues. The carnivore diet, in particular, has been a subject of controversy and requires careful supplementation to avoid nutrient deficiencies, as Hall himself acknowledged. Consult with a medical professional or registered dietitian before making any drastic changes to your diet.
Conclusion
How many calories does Eddie Hall eat for breakfast? The answer has changed with his career goals. During his peak strongman era, he consumed over 3,000 calories via two separate morning meals, laden with fats and carbs. In his more recent carnivore diet phase, he consumed a single, but still massive, 1,500-calorie breakfast focused on protein and fats. His diet is a functional necessity for his extreme athletic demands, not a template for a regular, healthy lifestyle. The caloric difference illustrates the strategic and evolving nature of his nutritional approach to maintain his legendary strength and physique. For more details on his recent dietary shift, see this breakdown of his carnivore diet.
