Is Ringo Starr Vegan or Vegetarian? Unpacking the Drummer's Diet

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Since at least the mid-1960s, Ringo Starr has publicly shared details about his dietary choices, which have been a significant part of his wellness journey. This transparency has led many to question: is Ringo Starr vegan or vegetarian?

Quick Summary

Ringo Starr is a vegetarian, having adopted the diet for both health sensitivities and a personal, emotional response to animal cruelty. He is not vegan, unlike his bandmate Paul McCartney. Starr's healthy, disciplined lifestyle is credited for his vitality.

Key Points

Ringo is Vegetarian, Not Vegan: Despite common misconceptions, Ringo Starr has consistently stated he follows a vegetarian diet, which includes some animal products like dairy.
Health is a Key Motivator: Due to childhood illnesses and food allergies, Starr adopted his diet partly for health reasons and avoids foods like garlic, onion, pizza, and curry.
A Bullfight Prompted the Change: An emotional experience witnessing a bullfight in Spain in 1965 was a catalyst for his decision to stop eating meat.
Dietary Staples Include Broccoli and Blueberries: Starr attributes his health and energy to eating healthy foods, regularly consuming broccoli and blueberries.
A Clean Lifestyle Since 1988: After entering rehab, Starr and his wife adopted a strict, healthy lifestyle, which included total sobriety and a continued focus on a disciplined diet.
Not to be Confused with Paul McCartney: While both are associated with plant-based eating, Paul McCartney is a vegan, while Ringo remains a vegetarian.

Ringo Starr: A Longtime Vegetarian

For decades, Ringo Starr has been a firm vegetarian, a fact he has confirmed in numerous interviews throughout his career. While some past reports briefly speculated about him being a vegan, Ringo himself consistently refers to his diet as vegetarian. His commitment to a plant-forward lifestyle began in the 1960s, a period of profound personal and professional change for the Beatles.

The Origins of Ringo's Vegetarianism

Unlike Paul McCartney, whose veganism is driven by ethical concerns for animal rights, Ringo's decision was initially sparked by a specific emotional event and later reinforced by ongoing health issues. He first decided to stop eating meat around 1965 after reportedly witnessing a bullfight in Spain, an experience that left him deeply disturbed. This event, combined with a lifelong history of health challenges, solidified his dietary path.

Health Sensitivities and Specific Food Choices

Born Richard Starkey, the drummer endured a sickly childhood that included long hospital stays for conditions like pleurisy and peritonitis. This led to a sensitive stomach and a lifelong preference for plainer foods, avoiding strong flavors like garlic and onions, which he has stated cause immediate adverse reactions. He often mentions two key foods that are staples of his daily intake:

Broccoli: The green vegetable is a favorite, and he is known to have it with virtually every meal.
Blueberries: A daily dose of blueberries is part of his morning routine.

Ringo Starr vs. Paul McCartney: A Dietary Comparison

Though both Ringo and Paul McCartney are renowned for their plant-based lifestyles, there are key differences in their dietary choices and the motivations behind them. This table provides a quick comparison of their approaches.


Aspect	Ringo Starr	Paul McCartney
Dietary Choice	Vegetarian	Vegan
Excludes	Meat, poultry, fish	All animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, etc.)
Primary Motivation	Health sensitivities and a personal aversion to cruelty (sparked by a bullfight).	Ethical and environmental reasons, influenced by his late wife Linda.
Dairy and Eggs	Consumes dairy and eggs	Avoids dairy and eggs
Recent Confirmation	Has confirmed his vegetarian diet in interviews as recently as 2025.	Has been a vocal advocate for veganism for many years.

The Role of Sobriety and Exercise

Beyond his vegetarianism, Starr's remarkable health is also a testament to his clean living, especially since entering rehab in 1988. After this period, he and his wife, Barbara Bach, committed to a healthier lifestyle that included sobriety and a dedication to fitness. Starr regularly works out with a personal trainer and stays active, a combination of factors he believes helps him stay young and vital. Paul McCartney once joked that after this lifestyle change, Ringo “smelled like kale,” highlighting the dramatic shift towards health-consciousness.

The Pizza Hut Paradox

An interesting footnote in Ringo's dietary history is his appearance in a 1995 Pizza Hut commercial. In the ad, he promotes stuffed crust pizza alongside members of The Monkees. Despite the premise, Ringo does not actually eat any pizza in the commercial, which is consistent with his lifelong avoidance of it. He has stated in interviews that he has never eaten pizza or curry due to his food sensitivities. This serves as a humorous but clear illustration of his strict, long-standing dietary habits.

Conclusion: Ringo's Enduring Vegetarian Legacy

In summary, the legendary drummer Ringo Starr is a vegetarian who has maintained his diet for decades. His journey to a plant-forward lifestyle was influenced by a striking emotional experience and his need to manage lifelong food sensitivities. Unlike Paul McCartney, Ringo's diet includes dairy and eggs, making him vegetarian, not vegan. His enduring health and active lifestyle are the result of this disciplined diet, consistent exercise, and total sobriety. For fans and the public alike, Ringo’s story is a compelling example of how mindful eating and a healthy lifestyle can contribute to long-term vitality. As stated in a 2022 Rolling Stone interview, Ringo confirmed, “I am a vegetarian, I have broccoli with everything and blueberries every morning. I just do stuff that I feel is good for me.”

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Ringo Starr is not vegan. He is a vegetarian and has been for many decades. While he avoids meat, he still consumes dairy and eggs.

Ringo Starr's decision to become a vegetarian was influenced by two main factors: his health sensitivities stemming from childhood illnesses and an emotional reaction to witnessing a bullfight in Spain in 1965.

Ringo Starr adopted a vegetarian diet around 1965 and has maintained it fairly consistently since then, reinforcing his commitment after becoming sober in the late 1980s.

Ringo Starr has mentioned that he frequently eats broccoli with his meals and has blueberries every morning. He generally focuses on fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods.

Yes, Ringo Starr has stated he has sensitivities to certain foods, including garlic and onions. His delicate stomach, a result of severe childhood illnesses, is one of the reasons for his cautious dietary approach.

Yes, Ringo Starr famously appeared in a Pizza Hut commercial in 1995. However, due to his dietary restrictions, he did not actually eat any pizza in the ad.

The main difference is that Paul McCartney is vegan, meaning he consumes no animal products at all, including dairy and eggs. Ringo Starr is vegetarian and includes dairy and eggs in his diet.