What Does Cher Not Eat? Exploring the Pop Icon's Dietary Exclusions

Back in 1991, Cher revealed significant shifts in her eating habits to People Magazine, a decision that has helped define her famously enduring energy and health. Her diet, which is largely plant-based, excludes several key food groups she credits with keeping her feeling youthful and spry.

Quick Summary

Cher maintains her youthful vitality by abstaining from meat, especially red meat, and most dairy products, like cheese, in favor of a plant-based diet focused on whole foods that provide high energy without the sluggish effects of high-fat items.

Key Points

• No Red or Processed Meat: Cher has been a vegetarian for decades, preferring plant-based alternatives for better health and energy.

• Minimal Dairy: She strictly limits dairy, especially cheese, believing it's high in fat and hard to digest.

• Avoids High-Fat Foods: High-fat items are generally avoided to prevent sluggishness and maintain her weight.

• Limits Refined Sugars: Instead of refined sugar, she opts for the natural sweetness found in fruits like bananas and papaya.

• Rarely Drinks or Consumes Coffee: She maintains a clear-headed lifestyle by almost never drinking alcohol and avoiding coffee.

• Prefers Whole Grains: For sustained energy, she chooses brown rice over white rice.

Cher's Plant-Forward Philosophy

Cher's long-standing wellness approach is built on a plant-based foundation, a shift she detailed in her 1991 book, Forever Fit. The core of her dietary philosophy involves avoiding foods with high-fat content, which she believes cause sluggishness and weight gain. By prioritizing nutrient-rich alternatives like vegetables, fruits, and legumes, she ensures her body is fueled for her high-energy performances and rigorous workout routine. This intentional avoidance of certain foods, combined with a healthy lifestyle, aligns closely with nutritional guidelines promoted by health experts and has likely contributed to her impressive longevity.

Meats: A Strict No-Go

One of the most notable exclusions from Cher's diet is meat, particularly red and processed varieties. She has publicly confirmed her preference for vegetarian alternatives, stating she doesn't like meat products and feels healthier on a vegetable and fruit-based diet. This choice eliminates saturated fats and cholesterol commonly found in red meat, aligning with a diet often associated with lower risks of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Her aversion to meat has been a consistent element of her health regimen for decades, contributing to her overall well-being.

The War on Dairy, Especially Cheese

Another significant exclusion from Cher's diet is most dairy, and she has been particularly vocal about her dislike for cheese. She has avoided it since at least 1991, calling it one of the worst foods for the body. Her reasoning is that it doesn't digest well and is laden with fat and cholesterol. While she occasionally consumed non-fat milk at one point, she largely removed dairy from her diet, a choice that aligns with modern nutritional trends emphasizing dairy moderation. This restriction helps her avoid bloating and other potential digestive issues associated with high dairy intake.

The High-Fat and Refined Sugar Ban

Cher makes a conscious effort to avoid high-fat foods in general because she finds they lead to low energy and weight gain. Instead of refined sugars, which cause energy spikes and crashes, she satisfies her sweet cravings with natural sugars found in fruits like bananas, papaya, and nectarines. She also prefers brown rice over white rice, opting for nutrient-dense whole grains that provide sustained energy. This focus on quality carbohydrates and avoiding unnecessary fats is a cornerstone of her energy-sustaining diet.

The Past: An Occasional Junk Food Indulgence

Like many, Cher admits to having had "bad binges" on unhealthy treats in the past, especially during demanding movie shoots. She recounted enjoying items like Pepperidge Farm Cheddar Cheese Goldfish, M&Ms, and Hershey's Kisses while filming The Witches of Eastwick. However, this was a temporary phase, and she quickly course-corrected by finding healthier alternatives, like microwaved sweet potatoes, to curb cravings. This episode illustrates her commitment to returning to a healthy baseline after a short indulgence, rather than letting it derail her long-term habits.

Foods and Substances Cher Avoids

• Red and Processed Meats: Strictly avoided as she feels better on a vegetarian diet.
• Most Dairy Products: Primarily avoids cheese due to its high fat content and poor digestibility, and largely excludes milk.
• High-Fat Foods: Avoids because they make her feel sluggish and maintain her weight.
• White Rice: Replaced with the more nutrient-dense brown rice.
• Refined Sugars: Satisfies sweet cravings with natural fruit sugars instead.
• Coffee: Not part of her daily routine.
• Alcohol: Consumed very rarely, only a few times a year.
• Drugs: Has stated she never got into drugs.

The Cher Diet: Exclusions vs. Inclusions

Excluded Items	Included Items	Reason for Exclusion	Nutritional Rationale for Inclusion
Red & Processed Meat	Vegetables, Legumes, Pasta	Feels healthier on a vegetable-based diet and avoids fat.	Provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals; plant-based proteins.
Cheese	Fruits (Bananas, Papaya, Nectarines)	High in fat and cholesterol; difficult to digest.	Natural sugars for energy; fiber and vitamins.
White Rice	Brown Rice	Less nutrient-dense; less sustained energy.	Whole grain provides complex carbohydrates and fiber.
Refined Sugar	Natural Fruit Sugars	Causes energy crashes; less nutritional value.	Balanced energy source; provides essential nutrients.
High-Fat Foods	Legumes (Lentils, Beans)	Causes sluggishness; affects weight.	Excellent source of low-fat protein and complex carbs.

Why These Exclusions Matter for Wellness

Cher's selective eating habits are not just about maintaining her famous physique; they are a strategic part of a comprehensive wellness plan. The long-term avoidance of red meat, processed foods, and most dairy aligns with the principles of a 'Harvard diet' that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins, which health experts credit with reducing the risk of chronic diseases. By focusing on nutrient-dense, high-energy foods, she ensures her body has the fuel it needs for her demanding career and energetic lifestyle. Her approach to health and aging is less about restrictive deprivation and more about conscious, beneficial choices. It’s a testament to the power of a disciplined lifestyle, proving that consistent effort can lead to exceptional vitality and performance, regardless of age.

Conclusion

What Cher does not eat is as important as what she does, forming the pillars of her longevity and vitality. By systematically eliminating red meat, most dairy, high-fat foods, and refined sugars from her diet, she has cultivated a plant-forward eating plan that maximizes her energy and supports her overall health. Her conscious choices, from opting for brown rice over white to favoring fruit for sweetness, demonstrate a long-term commitment to nourishment that has clearly paid off. Ultimately, her diet proves that sustained wellness is a direct result of mindful eating, not just temporary fads or shortcuts. By embracing a diet rich in whole foods and limiting processed items, Cher has set a powerful example of how to maintain peak physical condition over decades.

This article is based on public statements and interviews with Cher, including her 1991 interview in People Magazine and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cher a vegan?

No, Cher is not strictly a vegan. While she avoids meat (making her vegetarian) and most dairy, she has mentioned having non-fat milk occasionally, which means she does not completely abstain from all animal products.

Why does Cher avoid cheese?

Cher avoids cheese because she finds it difficult to digest and believes most cheeses are too high in fat and cholesterol. She cut it out of her diet in 1991 for health reasons.

What kind of foods does Cher eat instead of meat?

As a vegetarian, Cher focuses on nutrient-rich plant-based foods, including vegetables, pasta, and legumes like lentils and beans.

Does Cher drink coffee?

No, Cher has stated that she never drinks coffee. This is part of her overall wellness strategy to maintain high energy levels without relying on stimulants.

What is Cher's relationship with alcohol?

Cher has a very limited relationship with alcohol. She has publicly said she almost never drinks and only has a drink about three or four times a year.

Did Cher ever eat junk food?

Yes, Cher has admitted to having binges on junk food, including M&Ms and Goldfish crackers, especially during filming. However, she consciously shifted to healthier alternatives like sweet potatoes to curb cravings.

Does Cher follow a specific named diet?

While she does not follow a specific branded diet, her eating habits align closely with the principles of the 'Harvard diet,' which emphasizes whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

What does Cher eat for energy?

Cher prefers foods that provide sustained energy. She eats plenty of pasta, legumes, vegetables, and fruits like bananas and papaya, which offer natural sugars and complex carbohydrates.