Hailee Steinfeld's Mindset on Food
For many years, Hailee Steinfeld has maintained a healthy and active lifestyle, and her approach to food reflects this. Instead of adhering to restrictive fads, her mindset centers on a simple philosophy: using food to fuel her body for performance rather than training just so she can eat. This perspective allows for balance and enjoyment, rather than the pressure and stress of rigid diets. She openly admits that her palate has expanded over the years, a change from her days as a younger actress eating like a 14-year-old on set.
Her father, a personal trainer, has greatly influenced her holistic view of health and wellness, which includes a mindful and uncomplicated relationship with food. This has also helped her listen to her body and understand what it needs, whether it's fuel for a vigorous workout or a comforting home-cooked meal.
A Simple and Satisfying Diet
Steinfeld's meal plan emphasizes clean, whole foods and simple preparation. She has grown to love cooking, which helps her better understand the food she consumes.
A Typical Day of Eating for Hailee Steinfeld
- Breakfast: A big bowl of oatmeal is a consistent favorite for her pre-workout morning meal, providing sustained energy to fuel her intense training sessions. On more relaxed days, she might opt for avocado toast or pancakes.
- Lunch: For a powerful, protein-filled lunch, she has previously mentioned a combination of grilled chicken, broccoli, and brown rice. Her strategy is to find a protein-rich recipe she loves and incorporate it into her diet for a few weeks.
- Dinner: Similar to lunch, dinner focuses on a simple protein and carbohydrate. In recent years, she has experimented more with her culinary skills, even mastering cacio e pepe ravioli.
- Snacks: She keeps snacks hydrating and simple, often reaching for high-water-content fruits like melon. She also enjoys protein bars for a quick energy boost.
The Importance of Hydration
Proper hydration is a cornerstone of Steinfeld's wellness routine. She is a brand ambassador for Core Hydration, a brand of pH-balanced water, and stresses the importance of drinking water throughout the day. Her ritual involves starting her day by drinking a full bottle of water with her dogs in the morning.
Her Journey with a Plant-Based Diet
In a 2025 newsletter, Steinfeld opened up about her dietary evolution, revealing that she followed a plant-based diet for several years due to stomach sensitivities. This was a solution she found with the help of a gastroenterologist after discovering her body was reactive to many things she was eating. She found the plant-based experience to be 'wonderful' and realized many of her favorite meals were already naturally vegan. While she is no longer strictly plant-based, the experience expanded her palate and deepened her understanding of nutrition.
A Balanced Approach to Indulgence
Steinfeld is far from restrictive and practices the 'everything in moderation' mantra, especially when it comes to her sweet tooth.
- Desserts: A self-proclaimed lover of sugar, she has a fondness for classic chocolate chip cookies and enjoys sweet treats. On set, she noted that 'chocolate always exists' and helps satisfy her sweet cravings.
- Other Indulgences: She also finds joy in savory treats. An old TikTok video showed her enjoying a meal agreement involving french fries and ice cream, a salty and sweet combination she is not ashamed of. She also enjoys making pancakes with whipped cream for a special Sunday breakfast.
Comparison: Hailee's Approach vs. Fad Diets
| Aspect | Hailee Steinfeld's Approach | Fad Diets (e.g., Keto, Paleo) |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Intuitive eating, listening to her body, and eating to fuel performance. | Often involve strict rules, counting macros, and eliminating entire food groups. |
| Sustainability | Highly sustainable, focused on long-term health and a positive relationship with food. | Short-term fixes that are difficult to maintain, often leading to rebound weight gain. |
| Variety | Incorporates a wide variety of whole foods, including protein, carbs, and vegetables. | Highly restrictive, limiting food choices and potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. |
| Indulgence | Enjoys treats and sweets in moderation without shame. | Often vilify certain foods, promoting guilt around 'cheating' or indulging. |
| Mental Health | Promotes a positive mindset towards food, reducing stress and anxiety related to eating. | Can create an unhealthy obsession with food and cause anxiety around meal planning. |
Conclusion
Hailee Steinfeld's diet is characterized by simplicity, balance, and mindfulness. She prioritizes fueling her body for her active lifestyle, but also leaves room for enjoyment and indulgences. Her journey, including a temporary shift to a plant-based diet for health reasons, demonstrates a flexible and mature relationship with food. By focusing on simple, whole foods, ample hydration, and a positive mindset, her eating habits provide a healthy and sustainable model that prioritizes overall wellness, both physical and mental. For more on her routine, including her wellness practices, her newsletter, Beau Society, is a valuable resource.