Is Arnold Schwarzenegger on a plant-based diet? The full evolution

January 6, 2026 •

3 min read

In recent years, Arnold Schwarzenegger has transitioned to a diet that is roughly 80% plant-based, a significant change that has dramatically lowered his LDL cholesterol levels. This evolution from his bodybuilding days directly answers the question: is Arnold Schwarzenegger on a plant-based diet, and what led to his dietary overhaul?.

Quick Summary

Arnold Schwarzenegger, once known for a heavy meat and protein intake, has adopted a mostly plant-based or 'flexitarian' diet for health and environmental reasons.

Key Points

Not Fully Vegan: Schwarzenegger has publicly stated his diet is around 70-80% plant-based, preferring a flexible approach rather than a strict, 100% vegan one.
Health-Motivated Shift: The dietary change was significantly driven by health concerns, including multiple heart surgeries and a desire to lower his LDL cholesterol levels.
Environmental Reasons: His transition aligns with his long-standing environmental advocacy, acknowledging the climate impact of the livestock industry.
Flexitarian Approach: By consuming mostly plants but still allowing for occasional meat, he promotes a pragmatic and sustainable lifestyle change rather than a rigid dietary dogma.
Debunking Myths: As a bodybuilding icon, his shift to a plant-forward diet actively challenges the outdated myth that massive amounts of meat are necessary for building strength and muscle.
Emphasis on Whole Foods: He prioritizes whole, unprocessed plant foods like oats, vegetables, and legumes, and has reduced his reliance on processed protein shakes and supplements.
Lowered Cholesterol: The move to a primarily plant-based diet led to a dramatic drop in his LDL cholesterol, surprising even his doctor.

For decades, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the poster child for the traditional bodybuilding diet, defined by its high-protein, meat-heavy philosophy. His meals were famously packed with animal products to fuel his intense training and legendary physique. However, as awareness of environmental impact, heart health, and sustainability grew, the icon began a profound dietary shift. The transformation from meat-centric strongman to plant-forward advocate is a nuanced story, highlighting a modern, flexible approach to nutrition that prioritizes longevity and the planet.

The Classic Bodybuilding Diet vs. The Modern Approach

Arnold's Golden Era Diet

During his prime, Schwarzenegger's diet was centered around large amounts of animal protein, including lean meats, eggs, and dairy, necessary to support his intense bodybuilding training. While effective for muscle growth at the time, this diet also meant high intake of cholesterol and saturated fats, potentially leading to long-term health issues. He has since called out the "steak is for men" concept as a myth.

The Transition to Plant-Based Eating

Schwarzenegger began to shift his diet around 2017, motivated by growing concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environment. He transitioned to a more plant-focused lifestyle, significantly reducing his meat consumption to approximately 70-80% plant-based, which has had positive health effects. This was a gradual change, not an abrupt switch to a completely plant-free diet.

Key Motivations for the Dietary Change

Improved Heart Health

A major factor in Schwarzenegger's dietary change was his health, particularly after undergoing heart surgeries in 2018 and 2020. Reducing meat and animal products dramatically lowered his LDL cholesterol. He has reported feeling "healthier and younger overall" since making the change.

Environmental Advocacy

Schwarzenegger is also a prominent environmental advocate through his Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative. His dietary choices align with his commitment to addressing climate change, recognizing the significant environmental impact of the livestock industry. He was an executive producer for The Game Changers, a documentary promoting plant-based diets.

Embracing Flexibility, Not Labels

Schwarzenegger advocates for a flexible, "flexitarian" approach rather than strict veganism. While primarily plant-based, he occasionally includes meat in his diet, such as schnitzel or steak. This approach emphasizes sustainability and moderation over rigid dietary rules, making it a more accessible model for many.

What Is Arnold Schwarzenegger's Diet Today?

Schwarzenegger's current diet is largely plant-based with some animal products. For detailed insights into his daily meals, comparison of his classic bodybuilding diet versus his current diet, and steps to adopt a similar hybrid approach, you can refer to {Link: Certitude https://www.certitude.org.uk/Resources/FZ9CQ3/1OK027/arnold_schwarzenegger__vegan__diet.pdf}. For more resources on environmental action and sustainability, visit the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative website at The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative.

Conclusion

While not a strict vegan, Arnold Schwarzenegger's shift to a predominantly plant-based diet reflects a change in focus towards long-term health and environmental responsibility. By adopting a flexible, realistic approach that emphasizes whole foods and plant proteins, he demonstrates that maintaining fitness and vitality is possible with more conscious dietary choices. His dietary journey offers a practical model for those seeking to reduce meat consumption without adhering to a rigid diet, proving that adaptation is possible even for a legendary bodybuilder.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a full or strict vegan. He has consistently clarified that his diet is around 70-80% plant-based, and he still consumes some animal products, such as eggs, salmon, and occasionally red meat.

Schwarzenegger changed his diet primarily for health reasons, especially heart health following multiple surgeries, and due to his commitment to environmental advocacy. He found that reducing meat intake significantly lowered his cholesterol and made him feel healthier.

According to his public statements, a typical day includes oatmeal or Greek yogurt for breakfast, a large vegetable salad with a plant-based protein source for lunch, and vegetable soup for a light dinner.

While his diet has shifted from building massive muscle to maintaining health and longevity, Schwarzenegger's adoption of a plant-forward diet shows that high-level fitness can be sustained without the heavy reliance on meat from his younger days. He still gets ample protein from diverse sources.

Yes, he still occasionally eats meat. He has stated that he enjoys an occasional wiener schnitzel or steak and has not completely eliminated animal products from his diet.

Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger was an executive producer for the 2018 documentary The Game Changers, which advocates for plant-based diets, particularly for athletes.

After adopting a more plant-based diet, Schwarzenegger's 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels dropped so significantly that his doctor thought he might have been a different person.

Sources indicate that Schwarzenegger has been leaning heavily towards a plant-based lifestyle since around 2017.

He often mentions enjoying lentils, beans, veggie burgers, and pea protein powder as his go-to plant-based protein sources.