What Does Warren Buffet Eat Each Day? A Look at the Billionaire's Surprising Diet

December 23, 2025 •

2 min read

At age 94, Warren Buffett maintains a routine that includes a surprisingly childlike diet, leading many to wonder exactly what does Warren Buffet eat each day. Known as the 'Oracle of Omaha' for his investing prowess, his culinary choices are far less conventional than his business acumen.

Quick Summary

Warren Buffett's daily menu features a McDonald's breakfast dictated by the stock market, at least five cans of Coca-Cola, and regular indulgences in Dairy Queen and See's Candies.

Key Points

McDonald's for Breakfast: Warren Buffett starts his day with a fast-food breakfast from McDonald's, with his order of sausage patties or egg biscuits depending on the stock market's daily performance.
Five Cans of Coke Daily: He famously consumes at least five cans of Coca-Cola per day, joking that his body is "one-quarter Coca-Cola".
Dairy Queen and Candies: For lunch and snacks, he enjoys Dairy Queen hot dogs and ice cream sundaes, along with See's Candies, both of which are owned by his company, Berkshire Hathaway.
The 'Six-Year-Old' Philosophy: Buffett justifies his junk food diet by humorously referencing actuarial tables showing six-year-olds have the lowest death rate, and claims to eat like them.
Other Health Factors: Despite his poor diet, his longevity is attributed by some experts to strong genetics, a low-stress lifestyle, sufficient sleep, and regular mental exercises like reading and playing bridge.
Prioritizing Happiness: The billionaire believes that happiness is a key contributor to a long life, and he's happiest when eating and drinking what he loves.

A Day in the Diet of the 'Oracle of Omaha'

Warren Buffett's approach to food is as unconventional as his investment strategy. Guided by the simple rule to "Eat like a six-year-old," a diet he humorously claims is safest due to the low death rate of that age group, his daily intake is heavy on fast food, sugary sodas, and sweet treats. Despite this, Buffett finds joy in his diet and believes it contributes to his longevity.

The Market-Driven McDonald's Breakfast

Every morning, Buffett's breakfast from McDonald's is determined by the previous day's stock market performance. A strong market means a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, an average day calls for a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit, and a down market leads to just two sausage patties. He maintains a frugal approach by paying with the exact change his wife leaves for him.

The Coca-Cola Connection

A significant part of Buffett's diet is Coca-Cola. He consumes at least five 12-ounce cans daily and has jokingly referred to himself as "one-quarter Coca-Cola". He prefers regular Coke during the workday and Cherry Coke in the evening. This habit is intertwined with Berkshire Hathaway's substantial investment in The Coca-Cola Company.

Dairy Queen for Lunch and See's Candies for Snacks

Buffett's lunch often features items from Dairy Queen, another company owned by Berkshire Hathaway, frequently including a chili-cheese dog and an ice cream sundae. His snacking is similarly sweet, with See's Candies readily available at his desk.

Comparison: Buffett's 'Joyful' Diet vs. Conventional Health Advice

Buffett's diet is an anomaly and not recommended by health professionals, who point out that his longevity could be due to factors other than his eating habits.


Feature	Warren Buffett's Diet	Conventional Health Advice
Primary Beverage	Five+ cans of Coca-Cola daily.	Water, herbal tea, and low-sugar drinks.
Breakfast	McDonald's fast food, based on market performance.	Oatmeal, eggs, fruit, and whole-grain toast.
Lunch	Dairy Queen hot dogs and sundaes.	Lean protein, vegetables, salads, and complex carbs.
Snacks	See's Candies and salty potato chips.	Nuts, seeds, fruits, and yogurt.
Key Food Group	High-fat, high-sugar, and processed foods.	Nutrient-dense, whole, and unprocessed foods.

The Verdict: It's Not About the Food

Buffett's diet appears to contribute to his happiness and consistency rather than being a health secret. His low-stress lifestyle, adequate sleep, and mental engagement from reading and playing bridge likely play a more significant role in his longevity. He believes his happiness from enjoying his favorite foods is a key factor in his long life.

A Valuable Investing Lesson, Not a Diet Plan

Buffett's dietary habits can be seen as a metaphor for his investment strategy: sticking with what he knows and loves, avoiding complex trends. The lesson is about consistency and finding joy, not an endorsement of an unhealthy diet. For more insights into how his diet reflects his investing mindset, this article explores his routine in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warren Buffett’s diet is heavily focused on junk food, including fast food, sweets, and soda, with very little emphasis on conventionally healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

Buffett’s morning routine involves picking up a McDonald's breakfast on his way to work. The specific item he orders is influenced by the previous day's stock market performance.

It is widely reported that Warren Buffett drinks at least five 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola every single day, splitting his preference between regular Coke and Cherry Coke.

Buffett jokingly explained in an interview that he eats like a six-year-old because, according to his check of actuarial tables, six-year-olds have the lowest death rate.

Yes, Berkshire Hathaway, which Buffett leads, has significant holdings in The Coca-Cola Company and owns Dairy Queen and See's Candies outright, which are all staples in his diet.

No, medical experts caution that Buffett is an outlier and that his high-sugar, high-fat diet would pose significant health risks for the average person.

His longevity is a paradox likely attributed to a combination of strong genetics, a low-stress lifestyle, eight hours of sleep, and happiness, rather than his unhealthy eating habits.