A Royal Shift: From Palatial Indulgence to Mindful Eating
For many years, the royal kitchen served lavish, rich foods, but after her separation from Prince Charles, Princess Diana's dining preferences shifted dramatically. Guided by her focus on health and fitness, she began working with her personal chef, Darren McGrady, to eliminate heavy fats and rich creams from her meals. This change wasn't just about weight management, but a thoughtful re-evaluation of her dietary habits. The move towards lighter, more nutritious fare was a personal choice that allowed her to maintain her well-being while navigating a high-pressure public life.
The Princess's Signature Dishes
Diana developed a number of favorite meals that became staples in her routine. These dishes were often simple yet flavorful, reflecting her desire for clean eating. Chef McGrady recounts making these frequently to satisfy her preferences. They included:
- Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers: This was perhaps her most requested dish, a colorful and healthy meal filled with zucchini, mushrooms, rice, and garlic, topped with a small amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It was often served with a smoked tomato and pepper sauce.
- Stuffed Eggplant: A variation on her favorite, this dish was prepared with the same vegetable-and-cheese-filled approach.
- Poached Chicken and Baked Potatoes: Instead of the high-fat roasted chicken her sons enjoyed, Diana opted for poached chicken breast and dry-baked potatoes, demonstrating her commitment to a low-fat diet.
- Rainbow Trout: As a non-red-meat eater, Diana often chose fish, and rainbow trout was a particular favorite due to its mild flavor.
- Vegetable Juice: She was an early adopter of the juicing trend, incorporating healthy vegetable juices into her daily routine.
A Day in the Life of a Royal Diet
Unlike the Queen, who had her menus planned days in advance, Diana was more spontaneous with her food choices. A typical day's eating might look something like this:
- Breakfast: Her go-to morning meal was overnight oats, a recipe she discovered in Switzerland and adapted to include orange juice, yogurt, and fresh fruit. This was a simple, yet incredibly healthy start to her day.
- Lunch: This often consisted of light, vegetable-based dishes like soup, a salad, or her ever-present stuffed peppers.
- Snacks: When a craving hit, she sometimes enjoyed cold lamb cutlets from the staff kitchen or, for a sweet treat, the raisins from the top of her favorite dessert.
- Dinner: Similar to lunch, dinner was often a light, nutritious meal of fish or a vegetarian option, especially when dining alone.
- Dessert: A particular favorite was bread and butter pudding, a comforting treat she loved to indulge in occasionally.
The Eating Habits of Princess Diana vs. the Royal Standard
Princess Diana's eating habits represented a clear break from the traditional royal protocol, which often featured heavier, richer foods. Her modern, health-conscious approach to diet was a reflection of her independent spirit.
| Aspect | Princess Diana's Diet | Traditional Royal Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Health-conscious, low-fat eating, lean protein, and vegetarian meals. | Rich sauces, heavy creams, and full-fat dishes. |
| Favorite Protein | Fish (especially rainbow trout), chicken, and occasional lamb. Eliminated beef. | Lamb, beef, and other red meats were standard fare. |
| Meal Planning | More spontaneous and adaptable; often requested favorite dishes off-menu. | Menus were often prepared and submitted for approval days in advance. |
| Vegetable Preference | Loved fresh vegetables, with stuffed peppers and eggplant being her favorites. | Followed traditional recipes, and Queen Elizabeth even disliked garlic. |
| Personal Interaction | Often ate casually with her chef in the kitchen. | Strict dining etiquette and protocol were always observed. |
Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring Others
Princess Diana's journey with food was not without its struggles. She was candid about her battle with bulimia, a condition she battled with in the early years of her marriage. Her honesty about her eating disorder was groundbreaking and brought much-needed public awareness to the issue. Her eventual shift to a consistently healthy diet was a sign of her recovery and her commitment to a balanced lifestyle. The 'Diana Effect' on eating disorder awareness is a part of her legacy, helping countless people seek treatment.
Conclusion: More Than Just Food
When we ask what did Princess Diana eat, the answer goes beyond a simple list of dishes. It reveals a narrative of personal transformation, health consciousness, and a down-to-earth nature that endeared her to so many. From her favorite stuffed peppers to her candid conversations with her chef, Diana's relationship with food mirrored her wider personality: evolving, resilient, and human. Her culinary preferences were a quiet reflection of her journey, from a young, struggling princess to a confident, healthy woman who wasn't afraid to break royal tradition. For more information on her diet and recipes, Chef Darren McGrady's cookbook, Eating Royally, is an excellent resource.
