The Extreme Scale of Jay Cutler's Bodybuilding Diet
Jay Cutler's journey to becoming a four-time Mr. Olympia champion required more than just dedication in the gym; it demanded an intense and highly disciplined nutrition plan. His dietary intake was a mechanical and relentless process, often described as more challenging than his workouts. To support his immense muscle mass and training volume, Cutler consumed an enormous number of calories, predominantly from clean protein and carbohydrates. His egg consumption, in particular, became a legendary part of his dietary lore.
The Egg-Cracking Routine
To consume such a massive quantity of protein, Cutler developed a routine that, by his own admission, involved cracking eggs for an hour straight in the morning. Lacking the convenience of modern pasteurized egg white cartons, he would purchase up to 30 dozen eggs at a time from a local farm stand. His refrigerator was so full of eggs that his friends were often surprised to see nothing but bowls of them. He focused primarily on the egg whites for their lean protein content, while occasionally consuming some whole eggs. This was not a diet for taste, but for function, requiring a powerful commitment to meet his body's astronomical needs for muscle growth and repair.
A Look at a Sample Competitive Meal Plan
To illustrate the scale of his eating, here is a breakdown of a potential high-volume day during his competitive phase, showing how eggs fit into a broader dietary strategy:
- Meal 1: 15 egg whites, 3 whole eggs, 1 cup oatmeal, and toast.
- Meal 2: 12 oz chicken, 2 cups brown rice.
- Meal 3: Protein shake, 8 oz chicken, 1 cup oatmeal.
- Meal 4: 8 oz steak, 2 cups white rice.
- Meal 5: 12 oz chicken, 1 cup brown rice.
- Meal 6: 8 oz chicken, 1 cup brown rice, 12 oz buffalo, 3 whole eggs.
- Meal 7: 14 oz chicken, 12 oz sweet potato.
A Comparison: Cutler's Diet vs. A Healthy Diet
To put Cutler's dietary approach in perspective, here is a comparison of his competitive mass-building strategy versus a typical, healthy diet for an active individual.
| Feature | Jay Cutler (Competitive) | Healthy, Active Individual |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Calorie Target | ~5,000+ kcal | 2,000–3,000 kcal (varies by activity level) |
| Egg Consumption | Up to 140 egg whites a day | 1–3 eggs per day |
| Primary Goal | Extreme muscle mass and volume | General health, fitness, or moderate physique goals |
| Key Protein Sources | Egg whites, steak, chicken, bison, whey | A variety of complete proteins, including eggs, fish, poultry, and plant sources |
| Macro Focus | Very high protein and carbs (e.g., 40/40/20 ratio) | Balanced macronutrient intake for overall health |
| Dietary Approach | Monotonous, functional eating every few hours | Varied diet, with a focus on nutrient diversity |
| Sustainability | Not sustainable long-term due to extreme volume | Focuses on balanced, long-term health and consistency |
The Role of Whole Eggs vs. Egg Whites
During Cutler's prime, the prevailing belief in bodybuilding was that dietary cholesterol was a health risk and that discarding yolks was necessary for a lean physique. This led to the widespread practice of consuming massive amounts of egg whites. However, modern research offers a different perspective. Studies have shown that whole egg consumption can lead to greater muscle protein synthesis compared to an isonitrogenous amount of egg whites. This is because the yolk is packed with crucial nutrients, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that support muscle growth and recovery, including precursors to testosterone production.
For a regular person, and even for today's bodybuilders, eating the whole egg provides a more complete and nutrient-dense profile. For those not pursuing a physique of Cutler's extreme proportions, a moderate number of whole eggs offers superior nutrition compared to the high-volume, yolk-free approach of the past. The fear surrounding dietary cholesterol from egg yolks has also been largely debunked by recent scientific evidence, with saturated and trans fats now considered far more impactful on cardiovascular health.
Conclusion
To answer the question, during his competitive peak, Jay Cutler consumed an extraordinary amount of eggs—upwards of 140 egg whites daily—to meet his extreme protein demands. This was a functional necessity of his profession, not a recommendation for general nutrition. While eggs remain a powerhouse of nutrition for bodybuilders and the general population alike, Cutler's approach represents a bygone era of extreme dieting. For most people, a more sustainable and balanced intake of 1–3 whole eggs per day, alongside other varied protein sources, is a more effective strategy for health and muscle-building goals. A balanced diet, rather than an extreme one, remains the foundation of a healthy and fit lifestyle.
For further reading on the evolving science of dietary cholesterol and eggs, consider this resource from Harvard Health: Eggs, protein, and cholesterol: How to make eggs part of a heart-healthy diet.
