Meghan Markle's nutritional philosophy is built on balance and mindfulness, rather than strict, restrictive rules. She has famously described her approach as "lifestyle eating" rather than a diet, prioritizing clean, whole foods during the week and allowing for more flexibility on weekends. This provides a valuable framework for understanding how an occasional treat like chocolate fits into her routine.
The Meghan Markle Diet: More Than Just Clean Eating
Her daily diet is characterized by a high intake of nutrient-dense foods, seasonal produce, and home-cooked meals. Her commitment to a 'flexitarian' style of eating—vegan during the week with meat and other treats on weekends—is key to this balance. Her day often begins with hot water and lemon, followed by a nutritious breakfast like steel-cut oats with banana and agave syrup. Lunches often consist of protein-packed salads, and she is known to opt for green juices over coffee in the afternoon to maintain energy levels.
The Role of Mindful Indulgence
For many, the idea of a healthy diet suggests complete avoidance of sweets. However, Markle's perspective embraces mindful indulgence to prevent feelings of deprivation that can lead to unhealthy binge cycles. This is precisely where chocolate enters the picture. Multiple reports from reputable sources confirm that she enjoys indulgences like french fries and dark chocolate from time to time.
Her preference for dark chocolate is noteworthy from a nutritional standpoint. Dark chocolate, especially with a high cocoa content, is rich in antioxidants, specifically flavonoids, which have been linked to potential health benefits, including improved heart health. By choosing dark chocolate over milk chocolate, she makes a more nutritionally sound choice for her occasional treat.
Daily Diet vs. Weekend Indulgences
| Aspect | Daily Diet (Weekday) | Weekend Indulgences |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Clean eating, lean protein, ample vegetables, hydration. | Flexibility, comfort foods, and treats enjoyed in moderation. |
| Breakfast | Hot water with lemon, steel-cut oats, green juices, or acai bowls. | Potentially an omelette with cheese or other brunch favourites. |
| Lunch | Protein-packed salads or avocado toast. | Enjoying a social meal with friends, possibly including fries. |
| Snacks | Apples with almond butter, homemade popcorn, or kale crisps. | A piece of dark chocolate or other satisfying treat. |
| Dinner | One-pot vegetable pasta or quinoa with veggies. | A comforting meal like roast chicken, tacos, or pasta with a glass of wine. |
| Mindset | Discipline and routine to maintain energy and wellness goals. | Relaxation and enjoyment, emphasizing that no foods are truly 'off-limits'. |
Cultivating a Sustainable Approach to Nutrition
Beyond her food choices, Meghan Markle's overall lifestyle contributes to her wellness. She is a long-time practitioner of yoga and running, and values exercise as a form of “moving meditation”. Furthermore, she is a passionate home cook, which allows for greater control over ingredients and portion sizes. Her love for creating simple, delicious meals from scratch, like her "sexy filthy mush" zucchini pasta sauce, emphasizes that healthy eating can be both easy and satisfying. By prioritizing home-cooked food, she avoids the hidden sugars and preservatives common in processed foods.
The Importance of Balance
The overarching theme of her diet is that balance is not only achievable but essential for long-term health and happiness. By enjoying foods like dark chocolate occasionally, she avoids the strict, all-or-nothing mentality that can derail a healthy lifestyle. This realistic approach makes her diet more sustainable and enjoyable over time. The concept extends beyond just food; her lifestyle also includes practices like mindfulness, hydration, and exercise to support overall well-being. For anyone aspiring to a healthier diet, Markle’s example provides a powerful lesson: healthy eating is a journey, not a destination, and it's okay to make room for the things you love within reason. The focus should be on overall patterns and nourishing the body, not obsessing over every single morsel.
Conclusion
In summary, the answer to the question, "does Meghan Markle eat chocolate?" is a resounding yes, but with a significant caveat. Her choice to enjoy dark chocolate is a conscious indulgence within a broader, meticulously planned, but flexible diet. Her "lifestyle eating" philosophy, which prioritizes plant-based, whole foods during the week and allows for flexibility and treats on weekends, serves as a testament to the power of balance. For her, good nutrition isn't about deprivation; it’s about making mindful, mostly healthy choices while still enjoying life’s simple pleasures, like a piece of dark chocolate. This model offers a sustainable and realistic blueprint for anyone looking to improve their relationship with food without sacrificing joy. For more insights on her approach to food and wellness, publications like Women's Health Magazine often detail her dietary habits.
