Serena Williams' Evolving Dietary Philosophy
Serena Williams' dietary habits have always been a topic of interest, especially given her status as an elite athlete. What began as a more rigid veganism in solidarity with her sister, Venus, has transformed into a more personalized and flexible approach focused on health and feeling good. In 2011, after Venus was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome, a raw vegan diet became a strategy for managing the autoimmune disorder. Serena, living with Venus at the time, adopted a similar strict regime to show support. However, over time, her diet evolved to fit her own body's needs and athletic demands.
Her overall philosophy is focused on using food as fuel, not living to eat. This practical mindset means she is constantly adjusting her eating habits based on how her body feels and her current wellness goals. As she told Vogue in 2022, she was an "on-and-off vegan for a while" and was eating vegan six days a week.
Serena's Current Diet: A "Mostly Plant-Based" Approach
In 2025, Serena's dietary regimen reflects a holistic approach to wellness, particularly after her tennis retirement and focus on family life. Reports from late 2024 and mid-2025 indicate a diet rich in whole foods, emphasizing lean protein and vegetables. While largely plant-based, it is not strictly vegan. Her use of GLP-1 medication for weight loss, revealed in 2025, aligns with a balanced eating plan that includes nutrient-dense, clean foods.
A Week in the Diet of Serena Williams
A typical eating week for Serena Williams follows a pattern of highly nutritious, plant-forward meals, balanced with occasional flexibility. For many years, her approach was famously "vegan six days a week, anything goes on the seventh". Her staple plant-based meals include:
- Morning: A breakfast of oats, fresh fruit like strawberries and tangerines, and almond butter. She also uses supplements, including a vegan multivitamin and magnesium.
- Mid-day: Large, green salads are a favorite, often with spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced almonds, with a simple lime juice dressing. She has also mentioned plant-based burgers or burritos.
- Evening: For dinner, she incorporates brown rice with fresh vegetables, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
- Snacks: Healthy snacks include whole-grain toast with almond butter or a nutrient-dense smoothie.
The Role of Moderation and Supplements
One key aspect of Serena's dietary success is her belief in moderation and consistency. She uses supplements to fill any nutritional gaps and aid recovery. This disciplined yet flexible mindset allows her to avoid feeling deprived. Her recent health journey has also incorporated continuous glucose monitoring to understand her body's response to different foods better.
How Serena's Diet Differs from a Strict Vegan
To understand why Serena is not a strict vegan, it's helpful to compare her flexible approach to the definition of a standard vegan diet.
| Feature | Serena Williams' Diet (2025) | Strict Vegan Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Core Philosophy | Eat to live; flexible, mostly plant-based. | Avoid all animal products. |
| Animal Products | Consumes some animal products (e.g., eggs, grilled salmon) on occasion. | Abstains from all meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and honey. |
| Indulgences | Incorporates a "cheat meal" once a week or indulges in cravings like pizza or southern food. | No exceptions for cheat meals; consistent plant-based intake. |
| Motivation | General health, athletic performance, and feeling good, in addition to plant-based benefits. | Ethical, environmental, and animal welfare concerns, along with health. |
| Post-Retirement Changes | Adapted to include more lean protein and potentially GLP-1 medication. | Remained consistent regardless of career stage. |
The Plant-Based Business Ventures
Beyond her personal diet, Serena has demonstrated her support for plant-based movements through several business ventures. She was an investor in Impossible Foods, a company known for its plant-based meat alternatives. She also launched a vegan leather clothing line, highlighting her commitment to cruelty-free and sustainable products. This dual focus on both personal consumption and business investment shows a strong endorsement of plant-based living, even if her personal diet is not 100% rigid.
Conclusion: The Final Word on Serena's Veganism
So, is Serena Williams still a vegan? The simple answer is no, not in the strictest sense of the word. Her journey, which started with a rigid veganism, evolved into a flexible, mostly plant-based approach she herself has described as an "on-and-off vegan" or "vega-tarian". In 2025, her diet is best characterized as a wellness-focused regimen emphasizing nutrient-dense whole foods and strategic supplementation, with allowances for occasional non-vegan protein sources. Ultimately, her focus is on what makes her feel and perform her best, representing a modern, balanced approach to eating that resonates with many. For more insights into her wellness routine, including her supplement regimen, you can visit Women's Health Magazine.
