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Is Brie Bella Still Vegetarian? An Updated Look at Her Diet

4 min read

In 2017, it was widely reported that Brie Bella, and her husband Daniel Bryan, were vegetarians. This long-term stance on her diet, driven by ethical and health beliefs, has been a defining public characteristic. However, like many people, her eating habits have changed over time, particularly during and after her pregnancies.

Quick Summary

This article explores Brie Bella's evolving diet, examining her long-standing vegetarianism, its evolution during her pregnancies, and her current approach to eating. It clarifies her past and present dietary choices.

Key Points

  • Evolving Diet: Brie Bella is no longer a strict vegetarian and has adopted a more flexible, balanced approach to eating.

  • Pregnancy Influence: Her diet became more relaxed during and after her pregnancies, focusing on listening to her body's needs rather than strict rules.

  • Vegetable Focus: She continues to prioritize and cook with a high volume of fresh vegetables, many from her own garden.

  • Incorporating Animal Products: Her diet now includes some animal products, such as fish (tuna), alongside plant-based proteins like tofu.

  • Moderation over Rules: Brie emphasizes moderation, enjoying occasional indulgences like pizza or gelato as 'cheat meals'.

  • Differs from Bryan's: While sharing a health-conscious foundation, her diet is less rigid than her husband, Bryan Danielson's, known for his long-standing plant-based lifestyle.

In This Article

Brie Bella's Vegetarianism and Ethical Stance

Brie Bella's vegetarian journey is deeply tied to her husband, Daniel Bryan, who is a well-known advocate for a plant-based lifestyle. Their shared commitment to a meat-free diet was a significant part of their public persona, prominently featured on their reality show, Total Bellas. This commitment was not just for health but was also rooted in a strong ethical stance against animal cruelty. In a 2017 episode of Total Divas, Brie strongly defended her dietary choice, stating she would not sacrifice her beliefs for animals to conceive. This was in response to concerns about her health and fertility, a topic that was a storyline on the show.

The Challenge of Pregnancy and Dietary Changes

The journey to becoming a mother brought significant changes to Brie's dietary habits. During her pregnancies with her children, Birdie and Buddy, she, and her sister Nikki, adopted a more flexible approach to eating. Nikki Bella noted that during pregnancy, it becomes about "listening to your body," and Brie's approach reflected this. A Women's Health article from May 2020 detailed their diets while pregnant, showing that strict rules were set aside to nourish their bodies and growing babies. This temporary shift demonstrated a pragmatism that prioritized health and wellness over strict adherence to a long-held dietary label.

A Look at Her Post-Pregnancy and Current Diet

After her pregnancies, Brie's diet has continued to evolve. While she remains largely plant-focused, as shown by her frequent mentions of cooking with vegetables from her garden, she has been more flexible and reintroduced some animal products. A 2020 article from Women's Health provided specific examples of her meals, including a tuna sandwich, alongside her numerous vegetable-based dishes. This suggests a move away from the strict vegetarian label toward a more balanced, intuitive eating philosophy. Recent interviews from 2025 reaffirm this approach, emphasizing moderation and mindful consumption.

Common Dietary Components in Brie Bella's Diet

  • Vegetables: As a passionate gardener, Brie emphasizes vegetables in her meals, often starting dinner with a veggie.
  • Carbohydrates: She notes that lunch is often her most carb-heavy meal, sometimes including sourdough bread baked by her husband.
  • Protein: Her protein sources are varied. While still consuming plant-based options like tofu, she has also incorporated fish (tuna).
  • Occasional Treats: Brie allows for "cheat meals" and enjoys treats like caramel sea salt gelato or a piece of dark chocolate on occasion.
  • Supplements: In her past, she mentioned utilizing protein shakes for convenience when on the go and active.

Brie Bella's Diet vs. Her Husband Daniel Bryan's Diet

The dietary philosophies of Brie Bella and her husband, Bryan Danielson, also known as Daniel Bryan, have diverged slightly over time. While they were both publicly known for their vegetarianism, their paths have taken different turns, reflecting their individual health journeys and needs. Bryan Danielson, also known for his vegan advocacy, generally maintains a stricter, more focused plant-based approach. Brie, while still loving vegetables and leaning toward a plant-heavy diet, is more open to moderation and flexibility, especially after her pregnancies. This shows a shared foundation of health-conscious eating but different personal interpretations of how to achieve it.

Aspect Brie Bella's Diet Bryan Danielson's Diet
Current Approach Flexible, plant-heavy, but includes some animal products (like tuna). Generally stricter, more focused plant-based/vegan approach.
Stance on Meat Eats some animal products, particularly after pregnancy, such as tuna. Known for being fully vegetarian, with a strong tilt toward veganism and ethical sourcing.
Flexibility Incorporates occasional indulgences and listens to her body's cravings. Follows a more consistent and disciplined dietary plan, historically more rigid.
Primary Motivation Balance of health, listening to body cues, and enjoyment, alongside plant-focus. Strong ethical convictions related to animal and environmental advocacy, along with health.

Conclusion: A Balanced, Evolving Perspective

So, is Brie Bella still vegetarian? The answer is no, not in the strict sense that she once was. While she continues to prioritize plant-based meals and vegetables, her diet has evolved to be more flexible, incorporating some animal products and occasional indulgences. This change was largely influenced by her pregnancies and a move toward a more intuitive and balanced eating philosophy. Rather than adhering to a single, strict label, Brie Bella's current diet reflects a practical, health-conscious approach adapted to her changing life stages.

For more insight into Brie Bella's personal philosophy and lifestyle, explore her podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, where she frequently discusses health, wellness, and family.

The Vegetarian Debate on Total Divas

Brie Bella's vegetarianism was a point of contention and discussion on the reality show Total Divas, particularly concerning her health during her first pregnancy. Her sister, Nikki, expressed concern that the diet might be preventing Brie from conceiving, and some storylines focused on whether she should eat meat for her health. However, Brie famously held her ground, asserting her ethical convictions were more important. Despite this, she went on to have two healthy children while maintaining a mostly plant-based, though less strictly defined, diet. The public and highly personal debate highlighted the challenges and scrutiny that can come with public figures' dietary choices, especially when they differ from mainstream norms. Ultimately, Brie's health and wellness decisions were her own, and the flexibility she adopted during and after her pregnancies demonstrates a nuanced and practical perspective on nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Brie Bella is not a strict vegetarian anymore. While she still focuses heavily on plant-based foods, she has confirmed she also eats some animal products, such as fish.

During her pregnancies, Brie Bella adopted a more flexible diet. While she didn't necessarily eat red meat, she and her sister Nikki put strict eating habits aside to listen to their bodies and nourish their growing babies.

Brie Bella's diet evolved primarily due to her pregnancies. She and her sister Nikki shifted to a more relaxed approach, focusing on intuitive eating and listening to their bodies' needs.

Yes, Brie Bella still eats many plant-based meals. She is a dedicated gardener and incorporates a high volume of vegetables into her daily eating habits.

Brie Bella consumes a variety of proteins. She eats plant-based proteins like tofu and also includes fish, such as tuna, in her diet.

Brie Bella's diet is more flexible and less strict than her husband Bryan Danielson's (Daniel Bryan). While both share a foundation of health-conscious eating, Bryan has historically adhered to a more rigid plant-based lifestyle.

Yes, Brie Bella faced criticism and controversy, particularly on Total Divas, for maintaining her vegetarian diet while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. She famously defended her ethical beliefs during this time.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.