Eddie Hall's diet has always been a topic of fascination due to the sheer volume of food required to fuel his world-class physique and performance. The reality is that his daily meal plan has changed significantly based on his evolving athletic career. From the massive 12,000+ calorie bulking phase during his strongman prime to his more recent 9,000-10,000 calorie carnivore approach for MMA, the one constant is an intense focus on protein and calories.
The Extreme Strongman Bulking Diet
During his World's Strongest Man days, Hall's diet was less about 'clean eating' and more about hitting an immense calorie count to support his intense training. This included large quantities of high-calorie, often-processed foods to get the numbers up. At this stage, food was fuel, and a typical day was a marathon of eating.
A Strongman Day of Eating (Circa 2017)
- Breakfast: A massive full English breakfast with multiple sausages, bacon slices, eggs, beans, and bread. This was often followed by a full litre of ice cream.
- Snack: High-calorie, convenience foods to keep the energy levels high.
- Lunch: A substantial steak with pasta, rice, and vegetables, followed again by a litre of ice cream.
- Pre-workout Meal: More snacks, including energy drinks and oat bars.
- Dinner: A huge meal like a chicken curry or bolognese with a kilo of pasta, finished with another litre of ice cream.
- Night Snack: In his most extreme bulking phase, Hall would even set alarms to wake up and eat raw steak in the middle of the night.
The Carnivore Diet for MMA
Following his strongman career, Hall shifted his training and nutrition to prepare for boxing and MMA. This led him to adopt a month-long carnivore diet, consisting almost exclusively of meat, eggs, and dairy. The goal was to shed body fat while preserving muscle mass, consuming around 9,800 calories per day in a cleaner way.
A Carnivore Day of Eating (Recent example)
- Meal 1: Five eggs, two 100g packs of smoked salmon, cottage cheese, butter, and a protein milkshake.
- Meal 2: A ribeye steak, three eggs, and a milkshake.
- Intra-Workout: A milkshake during his training session.
- Post-Workout Snack: Biltong.
- Meal 3: Two ribeye steaks and two eggs, cooked in butter.
- Dessert: A final milkshake, yogurt mixed with protein powder, and bone broth.
- Hydration: Hall also emphasized consuming 10-12 litres of electrolyte water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Comparison: Strongman Bulking vs. Carnivore Diet
| Feature | Strongman Bulking Diet | Recent Carnivore Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Calories | Over 12,000 | Approx. 9,800 |
| Primary Food Groups | Meat, dairy, high-carb foods (pasta, rice), and sugar (ice cream, cheesecake) | Exclusively meat, eggs, and dairy |
| Macronutrient Focus | High carb, high protein, high fat | High protein, high fat, zero carb |
| Goal | Mass gain and strength | Fat loss and muscle retention |
| Meal Frequency | 8-10 meals/snacks, sometimes with middle-of-the-night feedings | Fewer, more structured meals |
| Health Concerns | Risk of digestive issues and poor blood markers | Potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies from lack of plant foods |
The Importance of Listening to Your Body
Regardless of the diet, Eddie Hall's journey shows the importance of matching nutrition to specific goals. His extreme strongman diet was designed for maximal bulk and raw power, while his carnivore phase was a deliberate strategy for weight cutting. This adaptability, combined with his dedication to training, is what makes him a world-class athlete. However, it is a testament to his unique physiology and the extreme demands of his sport. For most individuals, adopting such a high-calorie, restrictive diet would be unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Listening to one's body, adjusting macros based on activity, and ensuring a balanced nutrient intake are universal principles of a healthy diet.
Conclusion
What Eddie Hall eats in one day is far from a simple question, as the answer has varied dramatically with his career. His strongman diet was a caloric behemoth of meat, carbs, and ice cream, designed for maximum bulk. His more recent shift to a carnivore diet, though still incredibly high in calories, was a precise method for cutting weight while maintaining strength. Both dietary phases were built to support intense physical demands and highlight the extreme measures required to compete at the highest level. Ultimately, these plans are a blueprint for elite performance, not everyday nutrition. For more information on Hall's recent diet transformation, you can view his journey on his YouTube channel.