How Much Did Eddie Hall Eat in His Prime?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

At the height of his competitive strongman career, Eddie 'The Beast' Hall consumed upwards of 12,000 to 15,000 calories per day, sometimes pushing that figure even higher during intense bulking phases. This astonishing intake was necessary to fuel his immense 196kg (432 lbs) frame and brutal training regimen.

Quick Summary

This article details the extraordinary high-calorie diet Eddie Hall followed to become the World's Strongest Man, examining his daily meals, macronutrient targets, and the challenge of consuming such vast quantities of food.

Key Points

Peak Calorie Intake: At his peak, Eddie Hall consumed between 12,000 and 16,000 calories daily to fuel his strongman training.
Food as a Job: Eating became a full-time occupation, with Hall consuming up to ten meals and snacks a day and even waking up to eat.
Calorie-Dense Staples: The diet relied heavily on calorie-dense foods like full English breakfasts, large pasta dishes, ice cream, and cheesecake.
Macronutrient Overload: His diet delivered an incredible 704 grams of protein, 1,111 grams of carbs, and 571 grams of fat per day during bulking.
Digestive Strain: The extreme calorie and fat intake put immense pressure on his digestive system, with Hall describing it as an unenjoyable and punishing experience.
20,000 Calorie Attempt: Hall famously attempted to consume 20,000 calories in a single day, an ordeal that made him extremely ill and which he has vowed never to repeat.
Lifestyle Change Post-Prime: After retiring, Hall significantly reduced his caloric intake and shifted to a healthier diet, highlighting the temporary and extreme nature of his peak nutrition plan.

Fuelling 'The Beast': A Look at Eddie Hall's Prime Diet

To become the World's Strongest Man in 2017 and deadlift a world-record 500kg, Eddie Hall's training was nothing short of monstrous. The same can be said for his diet. His legendary appetite was a crucial tool for success, as the intense energy expenditure required for strongman training is astronomical. The mantra in the strongman community is 'you've got to have weight to shift the weight,' and Hall embraced this philosophy fully. His diet was not just about quantity but also strategically designed to provide the necessary fuel for recovery and explosive power.

The Daily Calorie Demands

For the average person, consuming 2,500 calories a day is sufficient. For Hall during his prime, this would barely cover his metabolic needs while sitting still. A university study conducted during his peak showed that his body would use nearly 5,000 calories over just 12 hours of rest. This incredible metabolic rate meant that his daily training required him to consume far more than just three square meals, transforming eating into a full-time job.

A Typical 'Beast' Day of Eating

A typical day on Hall's strongman diet was an exhausting and repetitive cycle of eating, training, and napping to allow his body to process the food. His approach focused on volume and calorie density, ensuring a constant supply of energy to his muscles.

Breakfast (Meal 1 & 2):

Full English Breakfast: A massive plate with 4 sausages, 4 rashers of bacon, 2 fried eggs, beans, tomatoes, and 4 slices of fried bread.
Second Breakfast: An hour later, he would have 100g of oatmeal mixed with whole milk, honey, raisins, fruit, whey protein, and beef jerky.

Lunch (Meal 3 & 4):

Heavy Lunch: This often consisted of a large quantity of meat (around 500g of steak), rice, pasta, and vegetables, followed by dessert.
Pre-Workout Load: A tuna sandwich, flapjacks, and energy drinks to get the necessary carbs for his training session.

Snacks & During Training:

In-Workout Fuel: During his gym sessions, Hall would consume beef slices and a protein shake to maintain his energy levels.

Dinner (Meal 5):

Evening Feast: A huge meal of pasta bolognese with a kilogram of pasta, a kilogram of minced meat, and garlic bread.

Dessert & Pre-Sleep:

Dessert Extravaganza: His day would conclude with cheesecake, a litre of ice cream, and protein shakes.

A Macronutrient Breakdown

According to an analysis of Hall's bulking diet, his daily macronutrient intake was staggering.

Calories: 12,399
Protein: 704 grams
Carbs: 1,111 grams
Fat: 571 grams

These figures illustrate the sheer volume of fuel required for his body to grow and recover, far exceeding the needs of even other strongmen, as critiqued by competitor Mitchell Hooper.

The Comparison with Other Strongmen

While Eddie Hall's diet was extreme, other world-class strongmen also follow massive calorie-intensive meal plans. The approach, however, can differ significantly, highlighting the personalized nature of elite athletic nutrition. For instance, Tom Stoltman revealed a 13,000-calorie competition diet, while Hafthor Björnsson's strategy for gaining weight has also been documented.


Strongman	Estimated Peak Daily Calories	Key Macronutrient Focus	Dietary Signature
Eddie Hall	12,000-16,000+	High carbs, high fats, and high protein	Heavy, calorie-dense foods like ice cream and pasta
Tom Stoltman	13,000 during competition	High carbs, particularly starchy foods	Multiple large meals, including pancakes and pasta
Hafthor Björnsson	12,000+ during prep	A balanced high-calorie approach with plenty of rice and chicken	Highly structured, frequent meals with a strategic cheat day

Conclusion: The Unhealthy Reality of an Extraordinary Feat

Eddie Hall's prime diet was a necessary evil, a tool to achieve an extraordinary goal: becoming the World's Strongest Man. While successful, he has since stated that this level of consumption was not healthy and that he often felt sick from the constant eating. The sheer volume of food and reliance on calorically-dense, high-fat items placed immense strain on his digestive system. In a memorable incident, Hall consumed a litre of double cream to hit 20,000 calories in a single day, leading to severe illness and a vow never to repeat the feat. His diet demonstrates the lengths elite athletes must go to, but also serves as a stark reminder that such extreme methods are unsustainable and can be damaging over the long term. Since retiring from strongman, Hall has significantly reduced his calorie intake, opting for a much healthier and more balanced diet.

For more insight into high-performance nutrition, check out this guide from EliteFTS on a modern approach to strongman eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

At his peak as a strongman, Eddie Hall consumed between 12,000 and 16,000 calories per day to support his training and massive body mass.

His diet included massive portions of steak, pasta, full English breakfasts, and was supplemented with high-calorie items like litres of ice cream and cheesecake.

Yes, on one occasion, Eddie Hall attempted to consume 20,000 calories by drinking a litre of double cream, but it made him extremely ill, and he has since said he will never do it again.

To hit his required calorie count, Eddie Hall would eat eight to ten meals and snacks daily, often setting alarms to wake up and eat throughout the night.

No, Eddie Hall has stated that his diet during his strongman prime was not healthy and that he often ate to the point of feeling sick to meet his energy needs.

During his bulking phase, Hall consumed extremely high quantities of all macronutrients, with a breakdown of around 704g of protein, 1,111g of carbs, and 571g of fat per day.

After retiring from strongman, Hall significantly reduced his calorie intake to a more sustainable level, incorporating healthier foods and moving away from the extreme bulking required for competition.