Steve Harvey's Shift from Meat-Eater to Vegan
For years, Steve Harvey was known for his witty humor and straightforward demeanor, often joking about his love for meat. In fact, in a 2017 clip, he humorously pushed back against his children, who were already vegan, stating he wanted nothing to do with their plant-based ways. However, the entertainer’s public dietary stance underwent a significant and surprising change. Influenced by Marco Borges, the fitness trainer behind Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 22-Day Nutrition program, Harvey committed to a plant-based lifestyle. He began his vegan journey in early 2019 and openly discussed his reasons on his talk show, 'Steve'.
The Health Benefits That Inspired the Change
Harvey's decision to embrace a plant-based diet was driven by a desire to improve his health and longevity, a common motivation for many transitioning to veganism. He revealed on his show that heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, a risk factor he wanted to reduce. After transitioning, he experienced remarkable health improvements, most notably a drastic drop in his cholesterol levels. Harvey famously joked that his cholesterol was lower than his cardiologist's, highlighting the profound impact of his dietary change. His transformation demonstrates the power of food as medicine and the direct link between diet and health outcomes.
Harvey's Vegan Lifestyle
Moving to a plant-based diet required a substantial overhaul of Harvey's eating habits. He went from a staunch meat-eater to embracing foods like BBQ cauliflower wings.
- Embracing Plant-Based Cuisine: Harvey's show featured vegan soul food and other plant-based recipes, demonstrating that delicious, familiar flavors can be recreated without animal products.
- Public Advocacy: Since his conversion, Harvey has used his platform to advocate for healthier eating, inviting chefs and nutritionists to share their knowledge with his audience.
- Family Influence: The fact that his children were already vegan played a role in softening his initial resistance to the diet. His family's example made the lifestyle change less daunting and more relatable.
Vegetarian vs. Vegan: What's the Difference?
While many people use the terms interchangeably, there are key differences between a vegetarian and a vegan diet. This distinction is crucial when answering the question, is Steve Harvey a vegetarian? He is not; he is a vegan. Here is a comparison:
| Feature | Vegetarian Diet | Vegan Diet | Steve Harvey's Diet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat and Poultry | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Fish and Seafood | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Dairy Products | Included (Lacto-ovo) | Excluded | Excluded |
| Eggs | Included (Lacto-ovo) | Excluded | Excluded |
| Honey | Included | Excluded | Excluded |
| Other Animal Products | Excluded (often) | Excluded (leather, fur, etc.) | Excluded |
From Skeptic to Champion
Harvey’s initial skepticism, documented in a 2014 clip where he expressed disdain for a detox vegan diet, makes his full embrace of veganism even more impactful. He initially struggled with the restrictive nature of the diet, admitting that the craving for meat was difficult to overcome. His later success is a powerful testament to the fact that lifestyle changes are possible, even for the most reluctant individuals. His story provides hope and inspiration for those who may be struggling to adopt healthier eating habits. Steve Harvey's journey underscores that a simple dietary choice can lead to transformative health improvements and that an initial negative reaction can evolve into a wholehearted endorsement. This shift from denier to full-fledged advocate is a compelling narrative that has reached millions through his various platforms. For more on plant-based living, exploring resources like The Vegan Society can be helpful.
Conclusion: The Final Word on Steve Harvey's Diet
To definitively answer the question, "Is Steve Harvey a vegetarian?", the answer is no. He transitioned beyond vegetarianism to a fully plant-based vegan diet. His journey, marked by initial resistance, family influence, and noticeable health improvements, has been a public testament to the benefits of a diet free from all animal products. He now serves as an advocate for plant-based eating, proving that it is possible to change lifelong habits for the better, with positive results in both energy and health metrics.
