Is Ziggy Marley Vegetarian? Understanding His Rastafarian-Influenced 'Live-It'

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

While the Rastafarian-influenced Ital diet is predominantly plant-based, seven-time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley has stated that he does not consider himself a strict vegetarian or vegan. His personal approach to food, which he calls his 'live-it', is a mix of fresh, whole foods inspired by his heritage and his family's diverse cooking.

Quick Summary

This article explores Ziggy Marley's dietary preferences, delving into his Rastafarian upbringing and his personal philosophy on eating. It details his commitment to fresh, organic ingredients, his avoidance of red meat and shellfish, and how his family's background influences his varied diet.

Key Points

Not a Vegetarian: Despite popular belief and Rastafarian influence, Ziggy Marley is not a strict vegetarian, as he has stated he eats fish but avoids red meat and shellfish.
Embraces the 'Live-It': He refers to his food philosophy as a 'live-it' rather than a 'diet', focusing on eating foods that give him life and listening to his body.
Rastafarian Influence: His diet is heavily influenced by the Rastafarian Ital tradition, emphasizing fresh, natural, and unprocessed ingredients with low salt content.
Family Food and Cookbook: His cooking includes diverse recipes from his Jamaican heritage and his wife's Israeli-Iranian background, featuring vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian options.
Organic Focus: He is a proponent of organic and GMO-free foods, having launched his own line of organic products, and often incorporates organic produce into his meals.
Avoids Specific Items: He specifically avoids red meat, shellfish, and processed foods, opting for a clean, whole-food approach.
Fish is Included: Unlike many strict Rastafarian Ital practitioners, Marley's diet includes fish, making him more of a pescetarian.

Is Ziggy Marley Vegetarian? The Full Story

Many fans have wondered, "Is Ziggy Marley vegetarian?" given the widespread association between Rastafarian culture and the Ital diet, which emphasizes natural, plant-based foods. However, the reality of Ziggy Marley's dietary habits is more nuanced. While he adheres to many of the principles of Ital cooking and prioritizes healthy, organic ingredients, he has publicly stated that he does not label himself a strict vegetarian or vegan. His approach is best described by his own term: a "live-it," rather than a "diet," focusing on foods that provide life and energy. This philosophy allows for a balanced blend of fresh produce, grains, and some animal products like fish, which is consistent with the practices of some Rastafarians.

The Influence of Rastafarian Ital

Ziggy Marley’s food philosophy is deeply rooted in his Rastafarian upbringing. The Ital diet, derived from the word 'vital', is a key component of Rastafarian culture and spiritual practice. It promotes eating natural, unprocessed, and organic foods, often with low salt and no artificial flavors. This emphasis on a clean, wholesome connection to nature has a profound impact on Marley's cooking and eating habits. The core tenets of Ital cuisine include:

Emphasis on Fresh Produce: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes is central to the philosophy.
Minimizing Processed Foods: Avoidance of refined sugars, artificial additives, and other processed ingredients.
Low Sodium Intake: Ital cuisine typically uses minimal salt, favoring natural herbs and spices for flavor.
Plant-Based Foundation: While not always strictly vegan, the diet is built upon a strong plant-based foundation, with an aversion to many types of meat.

The Family Cookbook and Dietary Inclusions

In his 2016 cookbook, Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook, he shares a wide variety of recipes that reflect his diverse food influences, featuring contributions from his wife, Orly, and other family members. The book showcases a spectrum of cuisine, demonstrating that his home cooking is not limited to just plant-based dishes. It includes:

A significant number of vegan and vegetarian recipes, including favorites like hempseed pesto.
Fish recipes, such as the 'Coconut Dream Fish,' reflecting his openness to including certain animal proteins.
Mediterranean-inspired dishes from his wife's Israeli and Iranian heritage.
Classic Jamaican dishes, sometimes with a healthier twist.

The cookbook itself is a testament to his flexible and inclusive approach to food, showing that while a strong plant-based and Ital influence is present, it is not an exclusive rule. The inclusion of fish and meat recipes clearly illustrates why he does not identify as vegetarian, despite his strong preference for natural, healthy eating.

Comparing Rastafarian and Ziggy Marley's Diet

To better understand the distinctions, a comparison of the general Rastafarian Ital diet and Ziggy Marley's personal “live-it” is useful.


Feature	General Rastafarian Ital Diet	Ziggy Marley's Personal 'Live-It'
Core Philosophy	Strictly plant-based, derived from the word 'vital'.	Focused on natural, healthy, life-giving foods, not a strict diet.
Meat and Protein	Avoids all meat, including poultry and fish, though interpretations can vary.	Avoids red meat and shellfish, but does consume fish.
Dairy	Typically avoids dairy products.	Has been known to include dairy, such as whey protein in his shakes.
Salt and Seasoning	Avoids refined salt, using natural herbs and spices.	Prefers less salty foods, favoring fresh ingredients.
Flexibility	Generally more rigid in its prohibitions.	Highly personal and flexible, incorporating diverse cultural influences.

The "Live-It" and Health Consciousness

Ziggy Marley's emphasis on his "live-it" highlights a conscious and holistic approach to wellness. In interviews, he has emphasized the importance of listening to one's body and focusing on nourishing, whole foods. This perspective moves beyond the strict confines of a label and instead prioritizes health, balance, and a spiritual connection to food. This is evident in his line of organic products, Ziggy Marley Organics, which includes hemp seeds and coconut oils. His commitment to natural and organic ingredients, free of GMOs, is a consistent theme across his food-related ventures. His simple but nutrient-dense staples often include morning oatmeal with fruit and seeds or fresh blended juices.

Conclusion

While the answer to "Is Ziggy Marley vegetarian?" is no, it's clear that his diet is heavily inspired by the plant-based principles of the Rastafarian Ital tradition. He is not vegetarian because he includes fish in his meals, but he avoids red meat and processed foods, maintaining a very health-conscious and organic-focused lifestyle. His personal "live-it" is a testament to a philosophy that values nourishment, cultural heritage, and a flexible, family-oriented approach to eating, rather than being defined by a strict dietary label. His cookbook and public statements have consistently shown this balanced, inclusive perspective on food.

Here is a link to the Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook for more information on his culinary inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Ziggy Marley is not vegan. While his diet is largely plant-based and inspired by Ital cuisine, he has explicitly stated he is not vegan and does eat fish.

Ziggy Marley does not eat red meat or shellfish. He does, however, eat fish, which is why he does not consider himself a strict vegetarian.

The Ital diet is a Rastafarian way of eating that emphasizes natural, unprocessed foods, often plant-based, and avoids salt, artificial ingredients, and chemicals. It is a holistic approach to eating that promotes health and a spiritual connection to food.

Bob Marley also followed a diet influenced by Rastafarianism, which included Ital principles. He was not a vegan and famously ate fish, along with vegetables, grains, and fresh juices.

Ziggy Marley cooks a variety of foods, with recipes shared in his cookbook. He includes classic Jamaican dishes, vegan and vegetarian meals, and dishes inspired by his wife's Mediterranean background.

Ziggy Marley calls his approach to eating a 'live-it' to signify that it is about eating foods that provide life and energy, rather than adhering to the restrictive connotations of a typical 'diet.' He emphasizes listening to his body and making conscious, healthy choices.

Based on interviews and his food philosophy, Ziggy Marley avoids red meat, shellfish, processed foods, refined sugars, and bread.