What did Cicely Tyson eat? Unveiling the Diet Behind Her Longevity

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

At 96 years old, Cicely Tyson credited her remarkable health and vitality to a clean, lifelong vegetarian diet and consistent physical activity. An advocate for wellness, she deliberately changed her eating habits following a profound moment in American history, choosing a path of clean living for decades to come.

Quick Summary

Cicely Tyson maintained a vegetarian diet for over 50 years after a pivotal moment in 1968, crediting organic fruits, vegetables, and fresh celery juice for her remarkable longevity and vigor. Her wellness regimen also prioritized exercise and abstaining from smoking and alcohol.

Key Points

Vegetarian Lifestyle: After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Cicely Tyson adopted a vegetarian diet for most of her life.
Daily Celery Juice: She began her day with a cup of fresh celery juice, followed by multiple glasses of water, as a cleansing ritual.
Organic Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains: Her diet consisted mainly of organic fruits, vegetables, and grains, a practice she solidified after a week at a health spa.
Avoided Unhealthy Habits: For decades, she abstained from smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs, contributing to her overall wellness.
Physical Activity was Key: In addition to her diet, she maintained a regular exercise routine that included walking and doing pull-ups well into her nineties.
Holistic Approach: Her longevity was the result of a holistic approach to health, combining clean eating with physical and mental discipline.

For over five decades, legendary actress Cicely Tyson lived by a simple but powerful dietary mantra that she credited for her robust health and vitality well into her nineties. The foundation of her regimen was a long-standing vegetarian diet, complemented by a dedication to exercise and a commitment to abstaining from drugs, smoking, and alcohol. Her journey toward this path was sparked by a profound and shocking historical event, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which led her to completely re-evaluate her lifestyle.

The Turning Point: Adopting Vegetarianism

Cicely Tyson's shift to a vegetarian diet was not a gradual decision but a definitive choice rooted in her response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Reflecting on this turning point, she stated, “When Martin Luther King was assassinated, I was so stunned by that, that I became a vegetarian and I've been that most of my life”. This philosophical decision laid the groundwork for a lifetime of clean eating and wellness that she pursued with remarkable discipline.

The Cleansing Power of Celery Juice

In her memoir, Just as I Am, Tyson revealed specifics of her morning routine, which started with a hydrating and cleansing ritual. Before any solid food, she would drink a cup of fresh celery juice. This was followed by four glasses of water, a practice she felt was essential for purifying her system and providing energy.

A Spa Experience and its Lasting Impact

Her commitment to a clean diet was further solidified by an experience at a health spa in 1976. During her time there, she followed a strict regimen of organic fruits, vegetables, and grains. The results were transformative, and she described feeling a newfound clarity and energy. This week-long program inspired her to continue eating that way for the rest of her life.

Cicely Tyson's Dietary Staples:

Fruits and Vegetables: Emphasis on organic produce.
Grains: Incorporated as a key part of her clean diet.
Legumes and Plant-Based Protein: As a vegetarian, these were essential for her protein intake.
Celery Juice: A daily morning staple for cleansing.
Water: Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated was a priority.

More Than Just Diet: A Holistic Approach to Wellness

For Cicely Tyson, wellness was a comprehensive pursuit that extended beyond her plate. Her vegetarianism was one part of a larger, disciplined lifestyle. She never smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs, avoiding habits that could compromise her health.

The Importance of Physical Activity

Even into her 90s, Tyson maintained an impressive fitness routine. In her memoir, she detailed her daily habit of doing three sets of 20 pull-ups from a bar in her bedroom doorway. She also loved walking the streets of New York City, describing her regular strolls as an energizing part of her routine.

Cicely Tyson's Diet vs. A Standard American Diet


Feature	Cicely Tyson's Diet	Standard American Diet (SAD)
Core Composition	Primarily vegetarian (organic fruits, vegetables, grains).	High in processed foods, red meat, and dairy; often lacks sufficient fruits and vegetables.
Morning Routine	Starts with fresh celery juice and multiple glasses of water.	Often includes high-sugar cereals, processed meats, or caffeine-heavy beverages.
Protein Source	Plant-based protein from legumes, nuts, and grains.	Primarily animal-based protein from meat and dairy products.
Alcohol & Tobacco	None.	Consumption of alcohol and tobacco is common.
Overall Philosophy	Clean living, wellness, and discipline for longevity.	Focused on convenience, which often leads to poor nutritional quality.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Health and Purpose

What did Cicely Tyson eat? The answer is simple yet profound: a diet of intention. By adopting a disciplined vegetarian lifestyle early in her life, she laid the foundation for decades of health. Her commitment to organic, plant-based foods, coupled with regular exercise and a complete avoidance of harmful substances, was a holistic approach to wellness. As documented in her memoir, Just as I Am, Tyson’s vitality was not a secret but a conscious choice, proving that mindful eating and living are key to a long and purposeful life. This approach stands as a powerful testament to her deep-seated conviction that to live for a long time, one must first choose to live well.

Her insightful and inspiring memoir is available through reputable booksellers like HarperCollins.

Frequently Asked Questions

While often referred to as a vegan, Cicely Tyson was a vegetarian for most of her life. Some accounts also mention her being a pescetarian at certain times. Her primary focus was on a plant-based diet rich in organic produce.

Cicely Tyson became a vegetarian in 1968, in response to the shocking news of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

Yes, Tyson consumed meat in her early life before she made the choice to become a vegetarian in 1968. For over 50 years afterward, she primarily adhered to a meat-free diet.

According to her memoir, her daily routine involved starting the morning with fresh celery juice and water, eating a diet of organic fruits, vegetables, and grains, and engaging in regular exercise like walking and doing pull-ups.

No, Cicely Tyson stated in multiple interviews that she never drank alcohol or used drugs throughout her life, a habit she maintained for her well-being.

As a vegetarian, Cicely Tyson obtained her protein from plant-based sources, likely including legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains, which she incorporated into her balanced diet.

In her nineties, Cicely Tyson stayed active by walking and famously did three sets of 20 pull-ups daily from a bar in her bedroom doorway. She believed staying active was crucial for longevity.