The Diet Secrets of a Superstar: Does Carrie Underwood Eat Cheese?

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Despite being a long-time vegetarian and describing herself as a 'wannabe vegan,' Carrie Underwood has openly admitted that her love for cheese is a weakness she doesn't always resist. Her dietary approach is more about finding a sustainable balance rather than adhering to rigid rules, allowing for occasional indulgences.

Quick Summary

Carrie Underwood follows a flexible, primarily plant-based diet, but she does eat cheese as an occasional indulgence. While she aims for a vegan lifestyle, her affection for dairy, particularly cheese, prevents a complete transition, making her a 'wannabe vegan'.

Key Points

Flexible Approach: Carrie Underwood is a 'wannabe vegan' who maintains a primarily plant-based diet but allows for flexibility and occasional indulgences.
Yes, She Eats Cheese: Carrie Underwood openly admits that cheese is a cherished indulgence and a major reason she has not transitioned to a full vegan lifestyle.
Balanced Macronutrients: Her diet follows a 45-30-25 macronutrient ratio, emphasizing carbohydrates, fats, and protein for sustained energy.
Whole Foods Focus: She prioritizes simple, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, tofu, and whole grains, avoiding ultra-processed products.
Inspired by Compassion: Her vegetarian journey began at age 13 after a significant experience on her family's cattle farm.
Moderation, Not Deprivation: Underwood's philosophy emphasizes moderation over strict deprivation, which she learned from past experiences with restrictive dieting.
Guidance from Experts: She works with a nutritionist and trainer to help guide her healthy and sustainable eating and exercise routines.

The Evolution of Carrie Underwood's Diet

Carrie Underwood's dietary journey began long before she became a superstar. At the age of 13, while growing up on a cattle farm, she made a personal decision to stop eating beef. This pivotal moment sparked her path toward vegetarianism, a lifestyle she maintained for over a decade. Her diet has since evolved into what she calls a "wannabe vegan" approach, emphasizing a primarily plant-based lifestyle while remaining flexible. This balance is key for the demanding schedule of a performer and mother, prioritizing nourishment and energy over strict limitations.

The “Wannabe Vegan” Philosophy Explained

For Underwood, being a "wannabe vegan" means focusing on wholesome, plant-based foods most of the time but allowing for certain animal products on occasion. This includes eggs from her backyard chickens and, notably, cheese. This flexible mindset prevents her from feeling overly restricted, which can lead to unhealthy cycles of binging and guilt. This approach is a healthier, more sustainable alternative to the highly restrictive diet she experimented with in the past, which included slimming supplements with the now-banned stimulant ephedrine.

The Role of Her Team

Underwood's success in finding this sustainable routine is credited in part to her team. She works with a nutritionist, Cara Clark, and a trainer, Eve Overland, to ensure her diet and exercise regimens are balanced and effective. This partnership has helped her shift her focus from the number on the scale to a more holistic sense of well-being, emphasizing feeling good both physically and mentally.

Does Carrie Underwood Eat Cheese? A Resounding Yes

Yes, Carrie Underwood does eat cheese. She has been very open about her love for this dairy product, calling it her "vice" and admitting that it's the one thing that has kept her from going fully vegan. In fact, when traveling, she has noted that the ubiquity of cheese, especially in places like Italy, can make adhering to a strict vegan diet a challenge.

Reasons she incorporates cheese:

Flavor and Craving: She finds cheesy things to be her main guilty pleasure and allows herself to indulge in them.
Flexibility: Rather than denying herself completely, she practices moderation and responsible indulgence.
Practicality: When on the road or in situations where vegan options are limited, she finds it easier to remain vegetarian rather than fully vegan.

A Look at Carrie's Typical 45-30-25 Diet

Underwood's diet is built around a macronutrient plan consisting of 45% carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 25% protein. This allows her to maintain high energy levels for her performance schedule while keeping her meals simple and nutrient-dense.

A typical day's eating might include:

Breakfast: Tofu or egg-white scramble with Ezekiel toast, berries, and coffee.
Lunch: A vegan sandwich on Ezekiel bread with Tofurky, avocado, spinach, and red onion.
Snacks: Protein bars or a green smoothie.
Dinner: Roasted vegetables with vegan chicken or a tofu stir-fry.
Indulgences: Small squares of dark chocolate or a glass of red wine.

Comparison of Carrie's Diet Philosophy and a Typical Diet

To understand the nuances of Carrie Underwood's approach, consider how it stacks up against a more typical, less conscious dietary pattern.


Characteristic	Underwood's Primarily Plant-Based Diet	Typical Processed-Food Diet
Focus	Whole, natural ingredients, balance, and feeling good.	Convenience, processed foods, and quick fixes.
Protein Sources	Tofu, vegan protein, backyard eggs, and occasional cheese.	Processed meats, fast food, and conventional dairy.
Carbohydrates	Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (like Ezekiel toast).	Refined starches, sugary snacks, and fast-food buns.
Fats	Healthy fats from avocado, nuts, and simple oils.	Unhealthy saturated and trans fats from fried foods and processed snacks.
Hydration	Intentional hydration with water and electrolyte sticks.	Often overlooked, reliance on sugary drinks.
Indulgences	Conscious, small treats like dark chocolate or wine.	Unplanned, large quantities of unhealthy foods and drinks.

The Takeaway: Finding a Sustainable Path

Ultimately, the lesson from Carrie Underwood's diet is not about whether or not to eat cheese. It's about finding a sustainable, healthy routine that works for you. Her approach is a testament to the idea that balance and self-awareness are more important than rigid perfection. By focusing on whole foods, listening to her body, and allowing for minor indulgences, she maintains her health and energy while still enjoying the things she loves, even in a cheesy world. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those seeking to build a healthier relationship with food without feeling constantly deprived or restricted. For more insights into her wellness routine, readers can explore her fit52 app, which promotes a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of "Does Carrie Underwood eat cheese?" has a clear answer: yes, she does, as an occasional and conscious indulgence. This detail sheds light on her pragmatic approach to nutrition, which she defines as a flexible, primarily plant-based diet rather than a strict, all-or-nothing vegan one. Her focus on whole foods, balanced macronutrients, and listening to her body's needs is the true secret behind her long-term health and energy. Her dietary strategy offers a valuable lesson in finding a personalized and sustainable path to wellness, proving that you can prioritize health without sacrificing all your favorite treats.

Carrie Underwood’s Diet: What The Singer Eats In A Day

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Carrie Underwood is not a strict vegan. While she follows a primarily plant-based diet and has been a vegetarian for many years, she describes herself as a "wannabe vegan" because she occasionally eats animal products like eggs and, notably, cheese.

The 45-30-25 diet is a macronutrient breakdown that Carrie Underwood uses to structure her eating. It consists of consuming 45% carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 25% protein to ensure balanced nutrition and sustained energy.

Yes, Carrie Underwood does eat eggs. She keeps chickens in her backyard and incorporates their eggs into her diet, such as in a morning scramble.

Carrie Underwood manages her cheese cravings by indulging in moderation. She has stated that she tries to be responsible and not overdo it, rather than completely depriving herself of the food she loves.

A typical day for Carrie Underwood includes a tofu or egg-white scramble for breakfast, a nutrient-dense vegan sandwich for lunch, and roasted vegetables with vegan chicken or tofu for dinner. She also snacks on protein bars or smoothies.

Carrie Underwood became a vegetarian at age 13 after an experience on her family's farm. She later transitioned toward a mostly plant-based, or "wannabe vegan," diet.

Underwood believes that keeping things simple and consuming whole, nutritious foods is best for the body and makes her feel her best. She avoids ultra-processed foods as much as possible.