Eddie Hall's Dietary Evolution: From High-Calorie Bulk to Carnivore
To definitively answer the question, no, Eddie Hall is not vegetarian. The former World's Strongest Man, known as "The Beast," has explored multiple diets over his career, but all have been heavily focused on animal products. While he has made significant changes to his eating habits since his strongman days, he has consistently maintained a meat-centric approach to his nutrition.
The Apex of a Strongman: A Diet of Immense Proportions
During his prime strongman career, particularly when he was training to deadlift 500kg, Eddie Hall's diet was a colossal undertaking of between 10,000 and 16,000 calories per day. His goal was simply to consume as many calories as possible to fuel his immense size and strength. This diet included an astronomical amount of food, featuring multiple full English breakfasts, steaks, pasta, cheesecakes, and large amounts of dairy. For Hall, eating was a full-time job, often requiring naps after large meals to aid digestion.
- Breakfast 1: Multiple sausages, bacon, eggs, and black pudding.
- Breakfast 2: Porridge with honey, fruit, and whey protein.
- Lunch: Large portions of steak, pasta, and vegetables with mayonnaise.
- Dinner: Minced meat pasta, garlic bread, and often half a cheesecake.
The Brief and Unsuccessful Vegan Experiment
In a move that surprised many, Hall revealed in an interview that he had briefly attempted a vegan diet. This experiment, which lasted only a few days, was a major turning point in his dietary philosophy. He claimed that during this short period, he felt his body "wither away" and experienced a noticeable drop in strength and size. This experience led him to conclude that a fully plant-based diet was not suitable for maintaining the level of power and mass required for his athletic goals. While his wife is a 'flexitarian' who eats many vegan meals, Hall's personal takeaway was that animal protein was essential for his physique.
A Shift to the Carnivore Diet
In more recent years, particularly following his retirement from competitive strongman and his move towards MMA, Hall has adopted a carnivore diet. This dietary change has been part of a significant body recomposition effort, aimed at reducing body fat while retaining muscle mass. His carnivore diet consists almost exclusively of animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy, with some sources suggesting he includes a few specific fruits and vegetables like berries and fermented foods for vitamins and gut health.
Common foods in Hall's carnivore diet:
- Steak (especially ribeye)
- Salmon and other oily fish
- Eggs (consumed multiple times a day)
- Cottage cheese
- Milk and butter
- Bone broth
- Occasional fruits like blueberries or raspberries
- Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut or kimchi
This diet has been credited by Hall for helping him shed a significant amount of weight, improve his energy levels, and reduce inflammation and joint pain. However, it is a very restrictive diet and requires careful planning and supplementation to ensure he receives all necessary nutrients, as he lacks the vitamins and minerals typically found in a varied diet of fruits and vegetables.
Comparison of Eddie Hall's Diets
| Feature | Strongman Diet (Peak) | Carnivore Diet (Recent) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Maximize caloric intake for size and strength | Reduce body fat while maintaining muscle |
| Daily Calories | 10,000 - 16,000+ | ~8,000 - 10,000 |
| Core Foods | Meat, eggs, dairy, pasta, bread, sugary treats | Meat, eggs, dairy, fish |
| Plant-Based Foods | Plenty of carbs and some vegetables | Very few, mostly fermented vegetables or berries |
| Dietary Challenge | Consuming enough calories; "a chore" | Restrictive, requires careful supplementation |
| Health Impact | High risk of health issues (heart, liver) | Reported benefits like better energy and less joint pain |
Conclusion: The Shifting Priorities of a Champion
Eddie Hall's journey with nutrition is a fascinating case study in how an elite athlete's diet must evolve with their goals. He transitioned from a punishing, high-calorie approach necessary for dominating the world of strongman to a more refined, yet equally intense, carnivore diet for MMA and overall health. The notion that he is vegetarian is a complete myth, likely arising from misinformation or a misunderstanding of his changing habits. His brief and negative experience with veganism confirms his long-standing belief that animal protein is fundamental to his performance and physique. For those interested in his dietary methods, his YouTube channel and interviews provide detailed insight into his specific meal plans and rationale.
For more information on Eddie Hall's current diet and training, check out this in-depth article from BarBend detailing his carnivore diet for fight preparation: Eddie Hall's 8,000-Calorie Carnivore Diet, Explained
A Day on Eddie Hall's Carnivore Diet (Example)
- Breakfast (approx. 1,500 calories): 100g smoked salmon, 300g cottage cheese, 5 scrambled eggs, and a large protein milkshake.
- Lunch (approx. 2,500 calories): A massive ribeye steak (400g), multiple eggs, and milk.
- Dinner (approx. 2,000 calories): A second large steak, more eggs, and protein-rich dairy.
- Snacks: Biltong, additional protein shakes, and sometimes berries.
- Supplements: Multivitamins, electrolytes, and other health supplements to fill nutritional gaps.
His current regimen is carefully designed to provide the high protein and fat content he needs, while his earlier strongman diet was more about sheer quantity and raw caloric power.
