Marilyn Monroe's 'Bizarre' Daily Diet
In a candid 1952 interview with Pageant magazine, Marilyn Monroe shared the unusual dietary habits she employed to stay thin and maintain her celebrated figure during her rise to stardom. Her regimen was characterized by a distinct focus on high protein and minimal carbs, though modern nutritionists would raise several health concerns. This self-described 'bizarre' diet offered a rare glimpse into the star's personal life and her efforts to manage her public image.
Breakfast: The Raw Eggs and Warm Milk Concoction
Monroe's day began with a unique breakfast ritual. She would heat milk and mix in two raw eggs, whisking them together before drinking it, calling it a nutritious start for a 'working girl in a hurry'. While she complemented this with a multivitamin, consuming raw eggs carries a salmonella risk, a danger not widely known in the 1950s.
- Morning Routine: A liquid protein shake of raw eggs and warm milk.
- Supplementation: She complemented this concoction with a multivitamin.
Lunch: A Deliberate Skip
Monroe mentioned no lunch in her interview, essentially practicing intermittent fasting, possibly as a simple way to manage calories amidst a busy schedule. Hollywood at the time could also put pressure on actors to maintain a certain weight.
Dinner: Broiled Meat and Raw Carrots
Monroe's dinners were consistently simple and protein-heavy. She would buy and broil meat like steak, lamb chops, or liver, with a side of raw carrots. She joked she must be 'part rabbit' for her love of carrots.
- Meat Choices: Broiled steak, lamb chops, or liver.
- Side Dish: Four to five raw carrots.
Dessert: The Hot Fudge Sundae Indulgence
Despite her strict meals, Monroe allowed herself a nightly hot fudge sundae from Wil Wright’s. She believed her high-protein diet justified this treat, a contrast to modern nutritional advice on sugar intake.
Marilyn Monroe’s Diet vs. Modern Nutritional Standards
Comparing Monroe's diet to modern standards highlights its historical context. While her high-protein approach had merit, many aspects are now considered unhealthy.
| Aspect | Marilyn Monroe's Diet (1950s) | Modern Nutritional Standards (2020s) |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Raw eggs in warm milk. | Cooked eggs, smoothies with pasteurized ingredients, oatmeal, or whole-grain toast. Concerns over salmonella in raw eggs. |
| Lunch | Often skipped. | Emphasizes a balanced meal with protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. Frequent small meals are often recommended. |
| Dinner | Broiled red meat and raw carrots. | Promotes a diverse range of lean proteins, a variety of colorful vegetables, and fiber-rich whole grains. Focus on balanced macros. |
| Indulgence | Daily ice cream sundae. | Treats are consumed in moderation. The high sugar content of a daily sundae is discouraged due to risks of blood sugar spikes and weight gain. |
| Overall Balance | Heavily skewed towards protein, lacking in diverse nutrients, and low in fiber. | Encourages balanced intake of protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, and high fiber. Emphasis on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. |
The Exercise Routine: A Simple Approach
Monroe also exercised, following a simple 10-minute morning routine with five-pound weights for toning. She performed 'bust-firming' arm lifts and circles, preferring her own pace over feeling 'regimented'.
Conclusion: A Window into Hollywood’s Past
Marilyn Monroe's diet, a product of its time and Hollywood pressures, was a high-protein, calorie-restricted regimen with a daily sweet treat. While intriguing historically, modern health concerns like salmonella risk and nutritional imbalances make it unsuitable today. Her diet is less a practical guide for weight loss and more a fascinating look into a different era's approach to beauty. For more on historical celebrity diets, resources like Tasting Table offer interesting insights.
The Legacy of Monroe's Diet
Monroe's public diet continues to fascinate, showing the enduring interest in celebrity fitness. Her candidness humanized her, revealing a routine both simple and aspirational. Today, her diet highlights the significant evolution of nutritional science since the golden age of Hollywood.
