Is Ariana Grande a vegetarian? Unveiling her plant-based lifestyle

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

Since 2013, Ariana Grande has publicly identified as a vegan, not a vegetarian, citing her love for animals and a desire for better health as her primary motivations. This distinction is crucial for fans asking, "Is Ariana Grande a vegetarian?" as her commitment is entirely animal-product-free.

Quick Summary

Ariana Grande has been following a 100% plant-based vegan diet since 2013, motivated by her commitment to animal welfare and personal health goals. Her diet emphasizes whole, plant-based foods over processed items.

Key Points

Vegan, Not Vegetarian: Ariana Grande follows a vegan diet, which means she excludes all animal products, not just meat and fish.
Ethical and Health Motivations: Her decision to go vegan in 2013 was driven by her deep love for animals and a personal quest for better health.
Whole-Foods Focused: Her diet emphasizes minimally processed, whole plant foods, inspired by a macrobiotic approach.
Advocates for Animals: Beyond her diet, Grande is a vocal animal rights advocate who has adopted rescue dogs and founded an animal rescue center.
Committed to Cruelty-Free: Her makeup brand, r.e.m. beauty, is PETA-certified cruelty-free, reflecting her ethical stance.
Family Fun: She humorously noted on the show Hot Ones that her Italian family often forgets she is vegan and offers her meatballs.

From Vegetarian-Curious to 100% Vegan: Her Journey

While many people start their plant-based journey by first becoming vegetarian, Ariana Grande made the direct leap to veganism, and has remained steadfast for over a decade. In a 2013 tweet, she officially announced her switch to a "100% vegan" lifestyle, a day she described as "joyous". This decision was not merely for health, though that was a factor, but deeply rooted in her vocal love for animals. She famously told The Mirror in 2014, "I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding". This ethical stance is a powerful driver of her choices, from her diet to her animal rescue work and her PETA-certified cruelty-free makeup line.

Her commitment to a whole-food, plant-based diet was also born from a desire to improve her overall health, having previously relied on junk food. She has since focused on nourishing her body with clean, simple foods that provide sustained energy, a necessity for her demanding career as a performer.

What Does a Vegan Superstar Eat?

Ariana Grande's diet is largely inspired by a macrobiotic approach, with an emphasis on fresh, whole foods and minimal processing. Her former trainer, Harley Pasternak, revealed that she consumes plenty of smoothies to stay fueled throughout the day. A vegan YouTuber, Merle O'Neal, even documented her own day trying to eat like Grande, confirming the focus on clean, balanced meals.

Ariana Grande's Go-To Vegan Foods

Berries: Often mentioned as a favorite snack, she's stated she has eaten at least five strawberries a day for years. They are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
Smoothies: A staple for hydration and nutrition, blending berries, leafy greens, and other wholesome ingredients.
Nuts: Almonds and cashews provide healthy fats and protein to keep her energized.
Japanese-inspired dishes: Influenced by a macrobiotic diet, she enjoys ingredients like daikon, adzuki beans, lotus, and edamame.
Hearty plant-based meals: She enjoys vegan versions of comfort foods, such as vegan wings on the show Hot Ones and plant-based Italian dishes.

Navigating a Plant-Based Life in the Public Eye

Being a public figure with strong ethical views can lead to scrutiny, and Ariana Grande's veganism is no exception. A recurring, light-hearted challenge she faces is with her family, particularly her grandmother, who forgets her dietary preference and offers her meatballs. Grande shared this anecdote on the Hot Ones podcast, humorously adding that her family might just not want to remember.

More seriously, she has faced criticism from some in the vegan community for past actions, such as promoting a non-vegan Starbucks drink and being seen wearing clothing containing animal-derived materials. These moments highlight the complexities of adhering to a strict vegan philosophy in all aspects of life, especially while under intense public observation. Despite such criticisms, her core animal rights advocacy and plant-based diet have remained consistent and strong.

Vegetarian vs. Vegan vs. Ariana Grande's Approach

To clarify her dietary choice, here is a comparison of her diet to vegetarian and vegan standards.


Aspect	Vegetarian	Vegan	Ariana Grande's Diet Approach
Dairy & Eggs	Allows consumption	Excludes entirely	Excludes entirely
Meat & Fish	Excludes entirely	Excludes entirely	Excludes entirely
Motivation	Health, ethics, religion	Ethical, health, environmental	Ethical (love for animals), health
Public Perception	Generally understood	Strict, often scrutinized	Generally understood as vegan, but with some past controversies
Animal Products	Allows some animal products (e.g., leather)	Excludes all animal products	Largely excludes, with occasional past criticism regarding clothing

Conclusion

In short, while the question, "Is Ariana Grande a vegetarian?" is common, the correct answer is that she is a dedicated vegan. Her journey from minimal meat to a 100% plant-based lifestyle was driven by a genuine love for animals and a commitment to health. Through her actions, from promoting a vegan diet to launching her PETA-certified beauty brand, she has consistently advocated for animal welfare. While she has faced public scrutiny, her long-term dedication to a plant-based, whole-food diet remains an inspiring part of her public persona and career longevity.

Her vegan journey serves as a powerful reminder that dietary choices can be a significant extension of one's personal values.

For more on her commitments, her brand r.e.m. beauty is now PETA-Approved Cruelty-Free.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while she said she kept meat to a minimum previously, she publicly transitioned directly to a "100% vegan" diet in 2013.

She eats a whole-food, plant-based diet that includes a variety of berries, nuts, vegetables, beans, and Japanese-inspired dishes. Her trainer also noted that she drinks plenty of smoothies.

Her decision was based on two primary factors: a love for animals and a desire to improve her overall health and energy levels.

Yes, some critics have pointed out inconsistencies, such as her past promotion of a non-vegan Starbucks drink and wearing clothing items potentially made with animal products.

Yes, her beauty brand is officially PETA-certified as cruelty-free, meaning it does not test on animals.

In a humorous interview on Hot Ones, she mentioned that her Italian grandmother still offers her meatballs, joking that her family forgets or chooses not to remember her dietary choice.

She believes that a whole-food, plant-based diet expands life length, provides more energy for her performances, and contributes to being a happier person.