Understanding the Nutrition Diet: Why did Lizzo quit being vegan?

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

In October 2024, Lizzo announced a significant shift in her eating habits, moving away from the vegan diet she had followed since 2020. The move addressed why did Lizzo quit being vegan?, stemming from a desire to improve energy levels, mental clarity, and overall physical health.

Quick Summary

After years on a plant-based diet, Lizzo revealed a dietary change to incorporate animal proteins for improved energy and mental clarity, realizing she was overconsuming processed vegan foods without feeling satiated. This shift was a part of her larger wellness journey focused on whole foods and self-care.

Key Points

Reason for quitting veganism: Lizzo cited improved energy levels and clearer mental focus after reintroducing animal protein into her diet.
High intake of processed vegan foods: She revealed that while vegan, she was consuming a large number of calories (3000-5000/day) from processed vegan alternatives without feeling full.
Shift to whole foods: Her dietary change involves replacing processed vegan items with whole foods and lean animal proteins like chicken, fish, and eggs.
Holistic health journey: This diet change is part of a larger wellness initiative, which also includes regular exercise, managing anxiety, and adopting a 'weight release' mindset.
Inspiration from Japan: A trip to Japan and experimenting with the Japanese diet, which includes fish, contributed to her realization about the benefits of animal protein for her body.
Focus on body neutrality: Lizzo's focus is on feeling good internally, shifting her perspective from body positivity to body neutrality, where health is prioritized regardless of size.

Lizzo's Vegan Beginnings and Dietary Realizations

Lizzo's public journey with food has been open and evolving. After transitioning to a plant-based diet around 2020, she frequently shared her vegan meals on social media, advocating for the delicious and vibrant possibilities of plant-based eating. Her motivation was not solely for weight loss, but to feel better and healthier. She even experimented with a supervised smoothie detox as a system reset. During this time, she promoted a message of body positivity and self-love at every size, an ethos she has continued to champion throughout her wellness journey.

However, a key turning point came in 2024 when she decided to incorporate animal protein back into her diet, a decision that stemmed from her personal experience and was influenced by her travels to Japan. Lizzo discovered that while on her vegan diet, she was consuming a high volume of processed substitutes like "fake meats," breads, and rice to feel full. This was leading to a daily calorie intake of 3,000 to 5,000 calories without the proper satiety or energy she needed for her demanding schedule. The realization that her body wasn't getting the nutrients it needed for optimal performance prompted her to re-evaluate her nutritional strategy.

The Shift to a High-Protein, Whole-Food Diet

During a trip to Japan, Lizzo indulged in sushi and eggs and was surprised by how good her body felt afterwards. This experience led her to investigate the effects of animal proteins on her system. What she discovered through personal experimentation and research was that adding animal proteins helped significantly with her mental fog, boosted her energy, and aided her in feeling satiated on fewer calories. Her new diet shifted from processed vegan foods to a whole-food, high-protein approach, emphasizing natural sources of nourishment.

Her updated meal plan reflects this change, focusing on balanced meals with lean proteins and vegetables. Here are some examples of what her daily food intake might include, as shared in various interviews and social media posts:

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with chicken sausage and a cauliflower hash brown.
Lunch: A Thai chicken salad or lettuce wraps filled with tuna or sliced chicken breast.
Dinner: Turkey meatloaf with cauliflower mashed potatoes and green beans.
Snacks: Low-sugar Greek yogurt with blueberries or blackberries and honey.
Drinks: Lemon water, homemade iced tea, and okra water.

This new approach is not about restriction but about finding a nutritional balance that works specifically for her body. She has openly stated that her body and its needs are unique and that what is best for her is not a prescription for others.

Comparison of Lizzo's Past and Present Diets


Aspect	Former Plant-Based Diet (approx. 2020-2024)	Current High-Protein Diet (post-2024)
Primary Motivation	Wellness, feeling better, body positivity	Health, increased energy, mental clarity, weight release
Protein Sources	Plant-based: Tofu, lentils, processed vegan meats	Animal-based: Eggs, chicken, fish, turkey, beef
Calorie Intake	Often high due to consumption of processed carbs to feel full (3,000-5,000/day)	Reduced, with a focus on calories-in-versus-calories-out science
Mental & Physical Effects	Experienced mental fog and less energy	Reported better energy and improved mental clarity
Satiety Level	Required large portions of high-carb foods to feel full	Found greater satiety from smaller portions of whole foods and protein
Processed Foods	Included processed vegan alternatives, breads, and rice	Emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods

The Holistic Health Journey: A New Mindset

Lizzo's dietary change is part of a larger, holistic health transformation. She refers to her journey as "weight release" rather than "weight loss," a term suggested by her boyfriend to emphasize gaining health rather than losing something. This mindset shift is a core component of her new philosophy. She has openly discussed her battle with binge eating linked to stress and anxiety, noting that focusing on herself and managing her mental health helped her control her food noise.

This journey also includes a consistent fitness routine. She engages in strength training, pilates, and cardio, focusing on joyful movement for her mental health as much as physical. Her commitment to daily movement is a non-negotiable part of feeling good and maintaining her energy for her demanding career. Lizzo's evolution demonstrates that a person's relationship with food and their body can change and that it is a deeply personal journey.

The Importance of Listening to Your Body

One of the most important takeaways from Lizzo's story is the emphasis on listening to one's body. What works for one person might not work for another. Her path illustrates that nutritional needs can change over time, and adjustments may be necessary to maintain optimal health. While she still respects veganism and its benefits, her honesty about her personal struggles with it provides a more nuanced conversation about diet and wellness. Lizzo’s approach is a reminder that health is not a one-size-fits-all model. For more on Lizzo's evolving health mindset, her journey towards body neutrality offers powerful insights into self-acceptance at every stage.

Conclusion: Embracing Change for Better Health

Lizzo’s decision to quit being vegan was not a rejection of the philosophy but a personal choice to prioritize her specific health needs. Her experience highlights the importance of distinguishing between a whole-food, plant-based diet and one that relies heavily on processed vegan alternatives, which can be calorie-dense without providing adequate nutrition or satiety. By incorporating whole-food animal proteins, she was able to achieve better energy, mental clarity, and a healthier overall feeling. Her journey is a testament to the value of listening to your body and adapting your nutrition plan as needed for sustainable, long-term wellness. Ultimately, Lizzo's message remains one of self-love and making conscious, informed choices that empower you to feel your best. It’s a journey of gaining health and well-being, rather than simply losing weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

While she has experienced weight loss as a result, Lizzo's primary reasons for changing her diet were to improve her energy, mental clarity, and overall health, which she felt was lacking on her previous diet.

Lizzo now follows a high-protein, whole-food diet that includes lean animal proteins such as chicken, eggs, and fish, along with plenty of vegetables.

Lizzo reported feeling mental fog and low energy. She also realized she was consuming an excessive amount of calories from processed vegan alternatives without achieving satiety, which affected her health and wellness goals.

Some sources noted that Lizzo consumed honey while on her plant-based diet, which means she did not adhere to the strict definition of veganism, which prohibits all animal products. Her diet was more accurately described as plant-based.

Yes, Lizzo faced criticism from some who accused her of never being a 'true vegan.' She addressed the sensitivity of the topic but emphasized that her choices were based on her personal health.

While in Japan, Lizzo ate fresh sushi and eggs and was impressed by how energetic and clear-headed she felt afterwards. This positive experience was a catalyst for her to reintroduce animal protein.

Yes, Lizzo has clarified that her personal health journey does not contradict her body positive or body neutral message. She maintains that one can love their body while still striving for better health and that her choices are not an endorsement for others to follow.