Exploring the Nuanced Answer to: Is Arnold Schwarzenegger Still Vegan?

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

In a 2022 newsletter, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed his LDL, or 'bad cholesterol,' levels dropped so dramatically after adopting a mostly plant-based diet that his doctor thought he might be a different person. This health transformation has led many to question, 'Is Arnold Schwarzenegger still vegan?' The answer, however, is more complex than a simple yes or no.

Quick Summary

Arnold Schwarzenegger has transitioned to an approximately 80% plant-based diet, but he is not a strict vegan, occasionally eating animal products like eggs and chicken. This shift was driven by heart health issues and environmental concerns, showcasing a flexible approach rather than a rigid dietary label.

Key Points

Not a Full Vegan: Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a strict vegan but follows an approximately 80% plant-based diet.
Mostly Plant-Based: His diet consists mainly of foods like lentils, beans, oats, salads, fruits, and vegetables.
Occasional Animal Products: He still consumes some animal products, such as eggs, salmon, chicken, and occasional steaks or schnitzel.
Motivated by Health: His dietary shift was driven by a focus on heart health and lowering high cholesterol levels.
Inspired by Environment: He also advocates for environmental change, highlighting how reducing meat consumption helps combat climate change.
Flexitarian Approach: His diet emphasizes a balanced, long-term lifestyle over rigid, strict adherence to a label.
Protein from Plants: Schwarzenegger demonstrates that adequate protein for muscle maintenance can be sourced from a variety of plant-based options.

The Evolution of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Nutrition Diet

During his prime as a bodybuilder, Arnold Schwarzenegger followed a diet typical of the era, focusing heavily on animal proteins like steak, chicken, and eggs to build muscle mass. He even promoted the idea that 'real men eat meat'. However, following multiple heart surgeries due to a genetic condition and a desire to focus on longevity, his dietary approach significantly changed. His motivation also grew to include environmental advocacy, leading him to produce the plant-based documentary The Game Changers. This led to a substantial reduction in meat consumption and a move towards plant-based eating.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger a Vegan? Not Fully, But Mostly

Despite some claims, Schwarzenegger is not a strict vegan. He describes his diet as 'mostly plant-based' or flexitarian. He stated in June 2023 that he eats "about 80% less meat than I used to". His focus is on a sustainable and flexible approach rather than a rigid dietary label.

Schwarzenegger's Current Dietary Staples

His diet is now rich in plant-based foods, supplemented with some animal products to support his health and maintain his physique. His typical meals include:

Breakfast: Often oatmeal with Greek yogurt or granola, or a smoothie with plant-based protein powder.
Lunch: Frequently a large salad, sometimes with a plant-based burger, and other times with salmon or chicken.
Dinner: He might have soup for a lighter evening meal.
Occasional Indulgences: He still enjoys red meat like steak or Austrian schnitzel periodically, emphasizing that consistency is more important than strict adherence.

Comparing Arnold's Diets: Past vs. Present


Feature	Bodybuilding Era Diet	Current (80% Plant-Based) Diet
Primary Goal	Maximize muscle mass for competitions	Prioritize heart health and longevity
Protein Sources	Abundant red meat, eggs, and dairy	Mostly plant-based (lentils, beans, pea protein); some fish, chicken, and eggs
Carbohydrates	High carbs for energy during bulking phases	Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for fiber and vitamins
Key Motivation	Performance and physical size	Health, environmental advocacy, and sustainability
Flexibility	Strict and routine to hit protein targets	Flexible approach, allowing for occasional treats
Environmental Stance	Unconcerned with environmental impact of diet	Vocal advocate for reducing meat consumption to benefit the environment

The Health and Environmental Benefits Driving the Shift

The move towards a plant-forward diet was driven by significant health benefits and ethical considerations. His cardiovascular health saw remarkable improvement. Reducing animal products dramatically lowered his LDL cholesterol levels. For someone with his history of heart issues, a plant-based diet is a recognized way to lower risk. Schwarzenegger is an outspoken advocate for reducing meat consumption to combat climate change.

Plant-Based Protein for Athletes

Schwarzenegger's success challenges the old belief that athletes need only animal protein. For those looking to incorporate more plant-based options, excellent sources include legumes, soy products, quinoa, nuts and seeds, and plant-based protein powder.

Conclusion

So, is Arnold Schwarzenegger still vegan? No. However, his transition to a mostly plant-based diet is a compelling example of adapting for health and environmental reasons. His story shows that a flexible, balanced diet focused on whole foods can be sustainable and effective for long-term health and vitality, proving that consistency is key, not rigid adherence to a label.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a strict vegan. He follows a mostly plant-based or flexitarian diet, which means his meals are approximately 80% plant-based, though he occasionally eats animal products.

His diet changed primarily for health reasons, particularly due to a genetic heart condition that led to multiple surgeries. He also adopted a mostly plant-based diet to improve his cardiovascular health and lower his cholesterol. Environmental concerns are another major motivation.

He includes eggs, salmon, and chicken as protein staples. For treats, he enjoys an occasional steak, burger, or schnitzel, though these are far less frequent than in his bodybuilding prime.

His plant-based staples include oatmeal, Greek yogurt, granola, salads, veggie burgers made from lentils and beans, and pea protein powder.

Yes. He reported that his 'bad' cholesterol levels dropped significantly after adopting a mostly plant-based diet. His doctor was reportedly surprised by the results.

Yes, Schwarzenegger was an executive producer for the documentary The Game Changers, which promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet, especially for athletes.

Schwarzenegger’s endorsement and the existence of many vegan bodybuilders suggest that with careful planning and a variety of protein sources, a plant-based diet can support muscle growth and athletic performance.

A flexitarian diet is mostly plant-based but occasionally includes meat, poultry, and fish. This describes Arnold’s current eating habits, where he focuses on plant-based foods but is not strictly vegan.