Is Zendaya still vegetarian? Unpacking her long-term dietary choices

Actress and fashion icon Zendaya has publicly identified as a vegetarian since a young age, a choice driven primarily by her love for animals. She has maintained this diet for over a decade despite admitting a certain dislike for vegetables.

Quick Summary

Actress Zendaya has maintained her vegetarian diet since childhood, a decision rooted in her love for animals after a formative experience. She is known to consume dairy and eggs, making her lacto-ovo vegetarian, and is candid about her picky eating habits.

Key Points

• Yes, Zendaya is still vegetarian: She has maintained a meat-free diet since she was 11 years old.

• Her motivation is for animals, not for health: Her decision was based on compassion for animals after seeing a slaughterhouse as a child.

• She is not a vegan: Zendaya is a lacto-ovo vegetarian, consuming dairy products and eggs.

• She dislikes vegetables: The actress has openly admitted that she does not enjoy eating vegetables, making her dietary choices challenging at times.

• She enjoys comfort food: Her diet includes relatable items like Nutella pancakes, ramen noodles, and In-N-Out grilled cheese.

• The diet is consistent: Claims suggesting she eats meat for specific roles are contrary to numerous reliable and recent reports.

The Origin of Zendaya's Vegetarianism

Zendaya's journey into vegetarianism began at a remarkably young age. At just 11 years old, she had a formative experience that changed her perspective on food forever. While on a road trip with her father, she passed a slaughterhouse, and the sight left a lasting, negative impression. “I thought it was awful,” she told People magazine, cementing her decision to stop eating meat from that moment forward. Her motivation was not for personal health or weight management, but purely out of compassion for animals, stating, “My main reason for being a vegetarian is that I'm an animal lover—definitely not because I love vegetables”.

A 'Challenging' Vegetarian with Relatable Cravings

Despite her strong ethical commitment, Zendaya has often openly admitted to the difficulties she faces as a vegetarian who isn't a fan of many vegetables. In interviews with outlets like US Weekly and Cosmopolitan, she has laughed about her paradoxical preferences. This relatable honesty has endeared her to many fans. She finds ways to navigate her cravings and busy schedule by enjoying a variety of vegetarian comfort foods and takeout options.

Here are some of Zendaya's favorite vegetarian dishes and food habits, according to various reports:

• Breakfast food at lunch: She isn't a morning eater but loves pancakes with berries and Nutella later in the day.
• Ramen noodles: A frequent go-to is a cup of noodles with hot sauce.
• In-N-Out grilled cheese: A vegetarian-friendly secret menu hack at the popular fast-food chain.
• Rice salad: Her summer go-to, as shared with Seventeen, which includes brown rice, vegetable broth, and some finely chopped veggies.
• Ice cream: She has a notorious sweet tooth and will often skip straight to ice cream for dessert.
• No coffee: She prefers juice or tea over coffee, soda, or energy drinks.

Vegetarianism vs. Veganism: Zendaya's Stance

It's important to distinguish between Zendaya's vegetarian diet and a vegan lifestyle. While both avoid meat, Zendaya consumes dairy products and eggs, a detail confirmed by various sources. This makes her a lacto-ovo vegetarian. She has not indicated any plans to transition to veganism, and her comments suggest she prioritizes practicality over dietary extremism.

Feature	Zendaya's Vegetarianism	Veganism	What She Eats	What Vegans Avoid
Meat	Excludes all meat (poultry, beef, pork, fish)	Excludes all meat	Yes (Dairy, Eggs)	All animal products
Dairy	Includes dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)	Excludes all dairy	Yes	No
Eggs	Includes eggs	Excludes all eggs	Yes	No
Honey	Typically includes honey	Excludes honey	Yes	No
Motivation	Animal welfare	Ethical, environmental, or health reasons	-	-

Dispelling Misinformation About Her Diet

Throughout her career, Zendaya has remained consistent in her public statements regarding her vegetarianism. While a 2025 article from NYU reported on her weight loss for the film Challengers and mistakenly suggested she ate "lean proteins" like chicken and fish, this appears to be inaccurate and contradictory to her long-standing public position. Her representatives and Zendaya herself have not confirmed a departure from her vegetarianism for any role. The most up-to-date and consistent information, including her fiancé Tom Holland cooking her lentil chili as of April 2025, affirms her vegetarian status. Her focus for demanding roles is more on functional training and balanced nutrition within her dietary constraints, not on reintroducing meat.

Conclusion: A Consistent and Relatable Approach

So, is Zendaya still vegetarian? The answer is yes. Since the age of 11, her ethical commitment to animals has been a constant in her life, underpinning her dietary choices. Her vegetarianism isn't about perfectly clean eating or a strict, vegetable-only regimen; it's a practical and heartfelt decision. The fact that she can be a vegetarian who openly admits to preferring Nutella-covered pancakes to kale makes her incredibly relatable and down-to-earth. While she may rely on takeout and not enjoy cooking, her vegetarian choices are intentional and unwavering. This consistent approach demonstrates that vegetarianism can be a sustainable and flexible lifestyle choice, even for those with famously particular palates. For more information on Zendaya's wellness and diet, various fan sites and articles offer insights into her broader lifestyle habits. Read more on Zendaya's diet on VegNews.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Zendaya become a vegetarian?

Zendaya became a vegetarian at the age of 11 after seeing a slaughterhouse during a road trip with her father. The experience was upsetting for her, and she has stated that her main reason is her love for animals.

Does Zendaya still eat meat for acting roles?

No, Zendaya has remained a vegetarian. While some reports have speculated about her diet for certain roles, her long-standing public statements and recent accounts confirm she maintains her meat-free lifestyle.

Is Zendaya a vegan?

No, Zendaya is not vegan. She follows a vegetarian diet, which means she excludes meat but does consume dairy products and eggs.

What are some of Zendaya's favorite vegetarian foods?

Zendaya's food preferences include Nutella pancakes, ramen with hot sauce, In-N-Out grilled cheese, and a rice salad. She also has a well-known liking for ice cream.

Does Zendaya like vegetables?

No, Zendaya has publicly stated that she is not a big fan of vegetables, which she admits makes being a vegetarian challenging.

What does Zendaya drink?

She is known to prefer juices and tea over coffee, soda, or even plain water.

How does Zendaya stay healthy with her busy schedule?

Despite her admitted dislike for vegetables and busy lifestyle, Zendaya finds ways to include them, sometimes by blending them into dishes. She also prioritizes hydration (with juice) and enjoys physical activities like dancing and tennis.