Eddie Hall's Dietary History: From Strongman to Carnivore
Eddie Hall's diet has always been a topic of fascination due to the sheer volume of calories required to fuel his strongman physique. While competing, he consumed up to 12,000 calories a day to support his training regimen. This was a diet heavy in meat, dairy, and carbohydrates, far from the principles of veganism.
The Failed Vegan Experiment
Contrary to speculation, Eddie Hall publicly addressed the question of whether he is a vegan in an interview with Men's Health UK. He recounted a brief, three-to-four-day experiment with a vegan diet, stating it made his body feel like it was "withering away". He explained that for an individual of his size and with his caloric needs, a plant-based diet was simply not a sustainable option for maintaining the necessary power and strength. Hall's wife, however, is a flexitarian and often incorporates vegan meals into her diet. This shows that while he isn't opposed to veganism in general, he feels it doesn't align with his specific athletic requirements.
Embracing the Carnivore Diet
More recently, Eddie Hall made headlines for a dietary shift that moves him even further from veganism: the carnivore diet. In August 2024, sources like BarBend reported that Hall was embarking on a dietary journey that eliminated plant-based foods in favor of a meat-and-dairy-centric meal plan. This shift was documented on his YouTube channel, where he detailed his consumption of thousands of calories a day from sources like steak, eggs, salmon, and cottage cheese. For example, a single lunch during this period could consist of an entire ribeye steak and eight eggs.
Hall has even credited the carnivore diet for improvements in his overall well-being, reporting weight loss, reduced aches and pains, and improved energy levels and sleep. This provides further evidence that his nutritional strategy is centered on animal products, not plant-based foods.
A Day in the Life: Comparing Hall's Diet Phases
To understand just how non-vegan Eddie Hall's diet is, comparing his previous strongman diet with his current carnivore approach is illuminating.
| Meal | Strongman Diet (Peak) | Carnivore Diet (Recent) |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Full English breakfast with meat, eggs, and toast; bucket of porridge with fruit | Five eggs, smoked salmon, cottage cheese, butter, and a milkshake |
| Lunch | Half a kilogram of steak, rice, pasta, vegetables, and a liter of ice cream | Ribeye steak, three eggs, and another milkshake |
| Snacks | Ice cream, snacks, beef jerky, nuts | Biltong, protein shakes |
| Dinner | Massive chicken curry, bolognese with a kilo of pasta, liter of ice cream | Two ribeye steaks, two eggs, butter, and dessert of a milkshake and protein yogurt |
| Post-Workout | Protein shakes and cranberry juice throughout training | Whey protein shake, steak, eggs, butter |
| Approx. Daily Calories | Up to 12,000-16,000+ kcal | 8,000-10,000 kcal |
High-Protein and Animal-Based Focus
Eddie Hall's nutritional strategy prioritizes massive protein and calorie intake to support his powerful physique and demanding training schedule. The foundation of his meals is animal-based, providing complete amino acid profiles necessary for muscle repair and growth. While vegan diets can provide sufficient protein, the sheer volume of plant-based food required to meet Hall's caloric needs would be immense and impractical for his goals.
The Role of Animal Products in Hall's Diet
- Meat: As evidenced by his carnivore phase, steak, salmon, and other meats are staples for providing high-quality protein and fats.
- Eggs and Dairy: Eggs are a consistent feature in his meals, along with other dairy products like cottage cheese, milk, and yogurt, for extra calories and protein.
- Supplements: Hall supplements his diet with shakes and other nutrient-dense additions to ensure he meets his massive macro goals.
It is clear from both his past and recent dietary decisions that Eddie Hall is not a vegan. His nutritional choices are strategic and tailored to the needs of an elite strongman and fighter, relying heavily on animal products to provide the necessary fuel for his body.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eddie Hall is unequivocally not a vegan. His history as a competitive strongman and his recent switch to a carnivore diet both demonstrate a dietary approach heavily reliant on animal products. He has personally explained that a brief trial of a plant-based diet was not sustainable for maintaining his size and power, and his current regimen is centered around meat, eggs, and dairy. For an athlete of his caliber, the high-calorie, protein-dense nature of an omnivorous and carnivore diet has been essential to his performance and physical goals.
