The Philosophical Roots of Tesla's Diet
Nikola Tesla's dietary choices were not merely about personal preference; they were deeply intertwined with his philosophical and health-conscious beliefs. He viewed the body as a complex machine that required the right kind of fuel to function at its peak, particularly for high-level mental work. His primary goal was to avoid foods that he believed produced harmful toxins and accelerated aging. In a 1935 interview, he noted that meat and fish could "shorten life by introducing more uric acid into the system". This conviction drove him toward a diet based largely on plant-based foods, though he never adopted a strict, all-encompassing vegetarian lifestyle.
The Evolution of His Eating Habits
Throughout his long life, Tesla's eating habits evolved, reflecting both his changing health concerns and his ongoing search for optimal performance. While he may have consumed meat and fish more frequently in his early years, he progressively minimized his intake. By his later years, he consumed meat only once or twice a year. He shifted toward a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and dairy, believing they were easier to digest and provided the necessary nutrients for a long and productive life. This gradual transition shows his deliberate, almost scientific, approach to his personal wellness, where diet was a key variable in his longevity experiment.
A Sample of Tesla's Typical Meals
Tesla's meals were simple, purposeful, and often repetitive. He famously adopted an intermittent fasting-like schedule, eating only two meals a day—breakfast and dinner—which he claimed improved his health and digestion.
- Breakfast: Typically consisted of milk and egg whites. He saw milk as a 'complete food' and believed avoiding the yolks would reduce uric acid. He sometimes included fruit for natural sugars and vitamins.
- Lunch: He eliminated lunch entirely, a practice he believed freed up mental energy that would otherwise be spent on digestion.
- Dinner: Often featured simple, easily digestible vegetable soups. A favorite was a mixture of chopped onions and celery prepared with plenty of butter. He occasionally included a sparing amount of lean chicken or fish, particularly fish for its phosphorus content which he considered good for the nervous system.
Comparing Tesla's Diet with His Contemporaries
To truly appreciate Tesla's dietary choices, it is helpful to compare his regimen with the standard eating habits of his era, especially among the wealthy in New York City.
| Feature | Nikola Tesla's Diet | Typical Late 19th/Early 20th Century Diet | Emphasis | Uniqueness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | Sparingly, once or twice a year; favored fish and fowl over beef | Heavy, multiple meat courses for lunch and dinner | Uric Acid | Avoided heavy, rich, meat-based foods |
| Meal Frequency | Two meals per day (breakfast and dinner), often skipping lunch | Three or more large meals a day, often with heavy lunch | Digestion | Practiced what is now known as intermittent fasting |
| Eggs | Egg whites only; avoided yolks to minimize uric acid | Whole fried or scrambled eggs, often alongside meat | Health | Focused on protein from less 'acidic' sources |
| Vegetables | Liberally partook of fresh vegetables, especially in soups | Often a side dish, not a primary focus of the meal | Vitamins | Saw vegetables as crucial for intestinal regulation and vitamins |
| Stimulants | Quit coffee and avoided tea; saw alcohol as a potential elixir, but also quit it | Heavy consumption of coffee and other stimulants | Mental Clarity | Believed stimulants interfered with mental performance |
The Broader Context of His Wellness Philosophy
Tesla's diet was just one component of his highly disciplined approach to life and health. His routine included extensive walking, a minimalist sleep schedule, and other peculiar rituals driven by his fear of germs and his obsessive-compulsive tendencies. His diet and exercise were central to his belief that he could achieve an exceptionally long life. To learn more about his unconventional lifestyle, explore resources on his daily regimen.
Conclusion: A Mostly Vegetarian Advocate
Ultimately, the question of "Was Nikola Tesla vegetarian?" is best answered with a qualified "mostly." He was certainly a strong advocate for the ethical and health benefits of a meatless diet, and his personal consumption of meat and fish was minimal, especially in his later years. However, his regular intake of milk and egg whites means he did not adhere to a strict vegetarian diet. His dietary habits were a pragmatic tool for maintaining mental sharpness and longevity, not a rigid ideological stance. His fascination with the body as a machine to be optimized was, in many ways, decades ahead of his time, and his disciplined approach offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a true genius.
