Eddie Hall's Extreme Protein Intake in his Prime
When Eddie Hall was at the peak of his competitive strongman career, his dietary demands were enormous. To support his immense size and a punishing training schedule, he required an astronomical number of calories and a proportionally high amount of protein. While figures varied slightly depending on the specific training phase, multiple sources confirm his protein intake was consistently at a level that far exceeds the needs of a normal human.
During his most intense bulking and pre-competition periods, Hall consumed around 700 grams of protein daily. This was part of a diet that could push up to 12,000 calories a day, a necessary and punishing aspect of his job as an elite strongman. For perspective, this is more than ten times the recommended daily allowance for an average adult male. He didn't just consume large meals; he ate frequently and consistently throughout the day and even woke up in the middle of the night to consume more food and protein shakes.
The Daily Menu of a Strongman
Hall's diet was a logistical feat, requiring meticulous planning and immense dedication. A single day's eating during his prime looked less like a standard meal plan and more like a never-ending cycle of consumption designed to constantly fuel his muscles. His diet was rich in animal proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to provide the necessary energy for his heavy lifting sessions. A typical day might include:
- Early Morning: A full English breakfast with multiple sausages, bacon slices, eggs, beans, and fried bread, often washed down with protein shakes and juices.
- Second Breakfast: A large bowl of porridge with oats, nuts, fruit, and more protein powder.
- Mid-Day Snacks: Throughout the day, he would top up his protein and carbs with snacks like beef jerky, fruit, and more shakes.
- Lunch: This could be a large steak, significant portions of pasta or rice, and vegetables. For dessert, he might eat half a family-sized cheesecake.
- Pre-Workout: Often included more sandwiches and energy drinks.
- Post-Workout: A large protein shake immediately after training.
- Dinner: An enormous meal, such as a full kilogram of spaghetti bolognese, followed by the rest of the cheesecake and another protein shake.
- Bedtime Snack: A final protein bar or shake before bed to keep the muscle-building process active overnight.
Comparison Table: Strongman vs. Standard Protein Intake
| Feature | Eddie Hall (Prime Strongman) | Average Active Male | Bodybuilder (Off-Season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Protein Intake | ~700 grams | ~60-100 grams | ~200-300 grams |
| Daily Caloric Intake | 10,000-12,000+ kcal | 2,500-3,000 kcal | 4,000-6,000 kcal |
| Meal Frequency | 6-8+ meals & snacks | 3 meals & snacks | 5-6 meals |
| Primary Goal | Maximize strength & size | Maintain weight & health | Maximize muscle growth |
| Key Food Sources | Red meat, eggs, dairy, shakes | Lean meats, fish, legumes | Lean meats, shakes, eggs |
Why Such an Extreme Diet?
To become the World's Strongest Man, Eddie Hall pushed his body to its absolute limits. His training was brutally intense, with sessions lasting hours and requiring massive amounts of fuel. The sheer volume of protein was necessary to facilitate muscle protein synthesis, the process by which muscle cells are repaired and rebuilt. With a body weight exceeding 400 lbs, his protein requirements were naturally higher than most to simply maintain his mass, let alone build more. This extreme diet was a tool, not a lifestyle choice, and he has spoken about the difficulty and discomfort it caused.
His later dietary shifts, such as the carnivore diet he experimented with for boxing, still involved very high protein levels (around 800-900g daily) but were lower in overall calories as his weight and training intensity decreased. This highlights how his protein consumption was a direct function of his sport and body size at any given time.
Health Considerations
The long-term health implications of such an extreme diet are significant. Hall has openly discussed the toll his strongman lifestyle took on his body and has since adopted a far more moderate diet and training regimen. Medical professionals often critique such high intake, with concerns ranging from digestive issues to long-term health risks related to the overall caloric and macro composition. The lesson is not to emulate this diet but to understand the extreme measures required to perform at the pinnacle of strength sports.
For more insight into the medical perspective on such intense diets, one can read about a critique of Hall's eating habits in a BarBend article(https://barbend.com/mitchell-hooper-eddie-hall-16000-calorie-strongman-diet/).
Conclusion
In his prime, Eddie Hall consumed a staggering amount of protein, regularly hitting 700 grams per day, as part of a 10,000+ calorie diet necessary for his elite strongman training. This intake was a mandatory component of his job, not a casual fitness strategy. It underscores the profound physical demands placed on World's Strongest Man competitors and demonstrates the level of nutritional extremity required to reach and maintain that level of strength.
