Bear Grylls' Dietary Journey: From Plant-Based to Carnivore
For many years, Bear Grylls was associated with a plant-based diet, even promoting it in his 2015 cookbook, Fuel for Life. This led to the widespread public perception that the famously rugged outdoorsman might lean towards a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. However, in a complete reversal that has garnered significant media attention, Grylls has publicly and repeatedly confirmed that he has abandoned veganism. His diet is now heavily focused on animal products, marking a dramatic change that has surprised many followers and critics alike. He has been very open about his shift, detailing the reasons behind his decision in numerous interviews and social media posts.
The Shift Away from Veganism
Grylls's move away from veganism was motivated by his personal experience with health issues. He has spoken about experiencing kidney pains and a general decline in his health while following a strict plant-based diet. In interviews, he expressed a sense of regret and embarrassment for having promoted the vegan lifestyle. His decision was influenced by his belief that his body was not thriving on a diet devoid of meat and animal fats. This led him to adopt a new dietary philosophy, which he refers to as an "ancestral way of living". He has also been influenced by carnivore diet proponents, most notably Paul Saladino, whom he has publicly credited.
What Does Bear Grylls Eat Now?
Bear Grylls's current diet is a stark contrast to his plant-based phase. He primarily consumes an animal-based diet, incorporating various animal products and natural foods. He often shares details of his meals on social media, showcasing a typical menu that includes:
- Red Meat: Grylls is a proponent of eating grass-fed red meat, which he often includes in his meals, sometimes eating steak twice a day.
- Organ Meats: He advocates for incorporating organ meats like liver, heart, and even testicles, believing they are highly nutrient-dense.
- Eggs and Dairy: His daily diet frequently includes a significant number of eggs and raw dairy, particularly Greek yogurt and butter.
- Fruit and Honey: He includes natural sources of carbohydrates like berries and honey.
- Eliminated Foods: Grylls avoids what he now considers harmful, including most vegetables, grains, gluten, refined sugar, and seed oils.
Comparing Grylls's Past and Present Diets
To understand the magnitude of his dietary shift, here is a comparison of Bear Grylls's former plant-based lifestyle versus his current carnivore approach:
| Feature | Former Plant-Based Lifestyle (circa 2015) | Current Carnivore-Adjacent Lifestyle |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Food Source | Promoted plant-based recipes in his cookbook Fuel for Life, focusing on dairy, wheat, and sugar-free options. | Heavily focused on grass-fed red meat, organ meats, and eggs. |
| Vegetable Consumption | Consumed large amounts of raw juices and vegetables. | Explicitly avoids most vegetables, believing they are not beneficial for his health. |
| Dairy | Included some dairy, but often limited in his recipes. | Frequently incorporates raw dairy, Greek yogurt, and significant amounts of butter. |
| Protein | Derived from various sources, but often with plant-based emphasis. | Derived almost exclusively from animal products, including high quantities of red meat and eggs. |
| Health Justification | Initially believed it was good for both personal health and the environment. | Claims his health, strength, skin, and gut health have improved dramatically since the change. |
The Controversy and Reactions
Bear Grylls's dietary 180 has not been without controversy. His public comments dismissing veganism and vegetables have been met with criticism from dietitians and nutrition experts. Many have pointed out that his claims regarding the health benefits of an all-meat diet are not backed by widespread scientific evidence. Concerns have also been raised about the environmental impact of a diet so rich in red meat, as the meat industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. However, Grylls stands by his personal experience and believes that avoiding processed foods and focusing on ancestral foods has been the key to his improved vitality.
Conclusion
In short, the answer to the question, "Is Bear Grylls a vegetarian?" is a definitive no. After a period of being an advocate for a plant-based diet, the TV personality and adventurer underwent a significant dietary transformation based on his personal health experiences. He now follows a carnivore-inspired, animal-based diet and has publicly expressed regret over his previous vegan advocacy. While his journey has sparked debate among health and environmental communities, Grylls remains a firm believer in his current dietary approach, which he credits for his improved health and vitality. His story highlights the complex and often personal nature of dietary choices, particularly within the public eye.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Grylls's Diet
Q: Did Bear Grylls used to be vegan? A: Yes, Bear Grylls has confirmed that he followed a plant-based diet for a time and even promoted it in a cookbook, which he now says he feels embarrassed about.
Q: Why did Bear Grylls stop being vegan? A: Grylls cites personal health issues, including kidney pains, as the primary reason for abandoning his plant-based diet. He claims his health improved after switching to an animal-based diet.
Q: What does Bear Grylls eat now? A: His current diet is primarily based on animal products and natural foods, including grass-fed red meat, liver, eggs, dairy, fruit, and honey.
Q: Has Bear Grylls's new diet been criticized? A: Yes, his shift to a meat-heavy diet and his dismissal of vegetables have drawn criticism from dietitians and experts who question his health and environmental claims.
Q: Does Bear Grylls still eat the wild foods he finds on his shows? A: While his home diet is different, his survival shows often require him to eat whatever he can find, which sometimes includes insects, reptiles, and other unusual items.
Q: What is the 'ancestral way of living' that Grylls promotes? A: This is his term for his animal-based diet, which he believes is consistent with how human ancestors ate for millennia. It emphasizes natural, unprocessed animal foods.
Q: What foods does Bear Grylls avoid now? A: He actively avoids processed foods, refined grains, gluten, seed oils, and most vegetables.
Q: Has his dietary change impacted his physical performance? A: Grylls claims that since making the change, he has felt stronger, and his skin and gut health have improved. He attributes a boost in vitality to his new diet.
Q: Is the carnivore diet safe, as promoted by Grylls? A: The long-term health impacts of a strictly carnivore diet are still debated, and many experts disagree with his assessment. It is always recommended to consult a doctor before making extreme dietary changes.
Q: Did Bear Grylls write a vegan cookbook? A: The cookbook, Fuel for Life, was published in 2015 and included a collection of dairy, wheat, and sugar-free recipes, but also contained meat recipes. He has since disavowed his advocacy for that lifestyle.
