Is Rohit Sharma Vegan or Vegetarian? An In-depth Look at His Diet

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

While many professional athletes have switched to plant-based diets, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma follows a specific dietary regimen that often leads to confusion. He is, in fact, an eggetarian, meaning he consumes eggs and dairy but abstains from eating any meat.

Quick Summary

Rohit Sharma maintains an eggetarian diet, which includes eggs, dairy, and a variety of plant-based foods, while completely avoiding meat. He has focused on reducing unhealthy snacks and high-carb meals.

Key Points

Eggetarian Diet: Rohit Sharma follows an eggetarian diet, which includes eggs and dairy but excludes all meat products.
Not Vegan: He is not a vegan, as his diet incorporates dairy products like milk and curd.
Dietary Evolution: To boost his performance and meet fitness standards, he transitioned from a less disciplined diet to a cleaner eating plan.
Fitness-Oriented Eating: His meals are structured around providing sustained energy for intense workouts and demanding cricket matches.
Misconceptions Clarified: Speculation regarding his eating habits during a 2021 Australia tour was clarified as unsubstantiated and does not reflect his personal diet.
Protein Sources: Eggs, dairy, legumes, and nuts are important protein sources in his nutrition plan.

Understanding Rohit Sharma's Eggetarian Diet

Unlike a strict vegetarian or vegan, Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma adheres to an eggetarian diet. This means his meals are primarily plant-based but also include eggs and dairy products. This dietary choice balances his upbringing and personal preferences with the high-performance nutritional needs of an elite athlete. For a cricketer constantly on the road and needing to maintain peak physical condition, this approach provides a robust source of protein and essential nutrients.

The Shift Towards a Healthier Lifestyle

Rohit's diet hasn't always been so disciplined. Reportedly, he once favored traditional Indian delicacies like vada pav and butter chicken. However, a conscious effort to improve his fitness and stamina led to a significant dietary overhaul. This transformation involved drastically cutting down on carbs, fried foods, and fatty snacks in favor of a cleaner, more balanced eating plan. This change was motivated by the need to excel on the field and meet strict fitness standards, such as the BCCI's Bronco Test.

The Nutritional Breakdown of His Meals

To fuel his demanding training sessions and matches, Rohit's diet is carefully curated. A typical day might include:

Morning Ritual: Starting with six soaked almonds and a sprout salad, followed by fresh juice to kickstart his metabolism.
Breakfast: Often consists of oatmeal with fruits, accompanied by a glass of milk to provide sustained energy.
Mid-Morning Snack: Curd, chilla, or coconut water helps maintain energy levels between meals.
Lunch: A well-balanced meal with vegetable curry, dal, rice, and salad provides complex carbohydrates and a range of micronutrients.
Evening Snack: Fruit smoothies and dry fruits offer a quick energy boost.
Dinner: A lighter, protein-rich meal with paneer and vegetables, pulao, and vegetable soup.

The Importance of Hydration

Hydration is a crucial component of Rohit's dietary strategy, especially during long matches in hot and humid climates. He consistently drinks ample water and includes electrolytes to replenish lost minerals, which is vital for maintaining focus and peak physical capability.

Diet Comparison: Eggetarian vs. Vegetarian vs. Vegan

To clarify the distinction in Rohit Sharma's diet, here is a comparison with other popular plant-based eating methods:


Feature	Rohit Sharma's Eggetarian Diet	Strict Vegetarian Diet	Vegan Diet
Meat	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded
Eggs	Included	Excluded	Excluded
Dairy	Included	Included	Excluded
Protein Sources	Eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds	Dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds	Legumes, nuts, seeds, plant-based proteins
Flexibility	High, combines plant and animal-derived nutrition	Moderate, excludes meat but allows dairy	Strict, excludes all animal products
Nutritional Profile	Balanced, easier to meet some nutrient needs	Requires careful planning for nutrients like B12	Requires meticulous planning for all nutrients

Addressing the Controversy: The Beef Incident

There has been speculation regarding Rohit's diet, particularly following an incident in 2021 when he was photographed at a restaurant with teammates during an Australian tour. This led to unsubstantiated rumors about them eating beef. However, sources have clarified that this was mere speculation and does not reflect Rohit's personal food habits. As he has openly stated, he is an eggetarian, and judging his private food choices based on a single speculative image is unfair. The incident highlights how a celebrity's every move can be scrutinized and misinterpreted.

Conclusion

To answer the question definitively, Rohit Sharma is neither vegan nor a strict vegetarian; he is an eggetarian. His diet, which includes eggs and dairy along with a focus on clean, whole foods, is a carefully managed plan designed to support his rigorous athletic demands. This approach, combined with his dedicated fitness regimen, has played a key role in his recent transformations and continued success in international cricket. His journey from indulging in comfort foods to adopting a more disciplined eating habit serves as an inspiration for many. You can learn more about his personal and professional life on his official Wikipedia page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Rohit Sharma is an eggetarian. While he avoids meat, he consumes eggs and dairy products, which means he is not a strict vegetarian.

No, Rohit Sharma does not follow a vegan diet. His diet includes eggs and dairy products, both of which are excluded from a vegan lifestyle.

An eggetarian diet is a form of vegetarianism where an individual does not eat meat but does include eggs in their diet. Rohit Sharma follows this specific type of diet.

According to some reports, Rohit grew up as a vegetarian but started eating meat for protein during his early cricket days before reverting to a non-meat diet.

Rumors about Rohit Sharma eating beef during an Australian tour in 2021 were based on speculation and have been clarified as unconfirmed. There is no evidence that this reflects his personal eating habits.

Rohit has consciously shifted towards a healthier diet, cutting down on fried and high-carb foods like vada pav and butter chicken in favor of balanced meals to improve his fitness and stamina.

To stay fit, Rohit eats a balanced diet that includes oatmeal, fruits, eggs, protein shakes, nuts, and a variety of vegetables. He also focuses heavily on staying hydrated.