What Does Zendaya Eat in the Morning?

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2017 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Zendaya admitted she has never been a "breakfast person," even with her assistant's encouragement. So, what does Zendaya eat in the morning when she's finally ready for a meal? The answer is often a favorite breakfast food like pancakes, but not always at the traditional morning hour.

Quick Summary

This article explores Zendaya's unique approach to her first meal of the day, revealing her vegetarian diet, her surprising sweet-tooth indulgence, and what she opts for when she finally decides to eat breakfast.

Key Points

Not a Breakfast Person: Zendaya has stated that she is not a "breakfast person" and often needs to be reminded to eat in the morning by her assistant.
Pancakes and Nutella: When she does have a breakfast-style meal, her favorite is pancakes topped with berries and Nutella.
Vegetarian Since Childhood: She has been a vegetarian since she was nine years old, primarily because of her love for animals.
Dislikes Vegetables: She humorously admits to being a vegetarian who doesn't like vegetables, making meal planning a bit of a challenge.
Loves Fast Food: For comfort food, she enjoys a secret-menu grilled cheese from In-N-Out, which she customizes with grilled onions and extra spread.
Juice over Water: She prefers drinking juice, like Tropicana or lemonade, over water and coffee.
Snacks on Set: On set, she has been known to snack on a cup of noodles with hot sauce.

Zendaya's Breakfast: A Unique Morning Approach

As revealed in multiple interviews over the years, Zendaya isn't one to jump out of bed and grab breakfast first thing. She's often described herself as not a "breakfast person," preferring to take her time in the mornings and sometimes needing a gentle reminder from her assistant to eat. While this might seem unusual to those who live by a strict breakfast schedule, it's a routine that works for her and offers a glimpse into her laid-back personal habits.

Her preference for skipping breakfast doesn't mean she dislikes breakfast foods entirely. In fact, she's an outspoken fan of classic breakfast items—just not at the crack of dawn. For Zendaya, breakfast food is a comfort food that can be enjoyed at any time of day. This casual approach to meal timing is reflective of her busy, often unconventional schedule as a high-profile actress.

The Allure of Pancakes and Nutella

When Zendaya does decide to have breakfast food, her go-to meal is a deliciously sweet and simple combination. In a 2017 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she shared her love for pancakes topped with berries and Nutella. This indulgent, sweet-leaning choice contradicts the typical celebrity health-obsessed image, making her all the more relatable to her fans. This particular meal is a testament to her sweet tooth, a trait she has mentioned in the past.

Zendaya's Go-To Breakfast Food:

Pancakes: A classic, fluffy base for her meal.
Berries: Adds a touch of freshness and natural sweetness.
Nutella: A generous topping of the hazelnut chocolate spread that she says is a must-have for her breakfast food.

Life as a Vegetarian Who Dislikes Vegetables

Zendaya has been a vegetarian since she was nine years old, but her reasoning is rooted in her love for animals rather than a passion for vegetables. This has led to the challenging but humorous admission that she is a "vegetarian who doesn't like vegetables too much," a fact she revealed to Cosmopolitan and US Weekly. This has forced her to get creative with her meals throughout the day to ensure she still gets proper nutrition, often incorporating them into dishes where they can be enjoyed more easily, such as salads.

The Broader Picture: Zendaya's Overall Diet

Her unconventional breakfast habits are just one part of her overall dietary lifestyle. Throughout the day, Zendaya's meals often reflect her busy schedule and personal tastes. She has spoken about eating cup noodles with hot sauce while on set and enjoying lemonade, rather than fancy juices or plain water, which she admits to disliking. For dinner, she sometimes opts for a rice salad, a meal she shared with Seventeen. This provides a fuller picture of how she fuels her body while juggling a demanding career. Below is a comparison table outlining Zendaya's general eating habits versus a more traditional breakfast eater.

Zendaya vs. The Traditional Breakfast Eater


Aspect	Zendaya's Approach	Traditional Approach
Meal Timing	Often skips breakfast, eats breakfast foods later in the day.	Eats a meal, typically savory or light, within a few hours of waking.
Meal Preference	Favors sweet treats like Nutella pancakes for breakfast-style meals.	Often prefers savory eggs, oatmeal, or toast for breakfast.
Dietary Restriction	Vegetarian due to love for animals, not a love of vegetables.	Can be vegetarian, vegan, or an omnivore; diet is less restrictive.
Beverages	Prefers juices like Tropicana or lemonade over coffee and water.	Typically drinks coffee, tea, or water in the morning.
Motivation	Reminded or prompted to eat by her assistant or family.	Eats breakfast as part of a fixed, self-disciplined routine.

Beyond the First Meal: Other Food Favorites

Zendaya's unique tastes don't stop at breakfast. She has also mentioned her appreciation for other foods, from fast-food favorites to dishes her partner Tom Holland makes. This demonstrates a balance between convenience, comfort, and a touch of indulgence.

In-N-Out Grilled Cheese: As a vegetarian, Zendaya orders a grilled cheese from In-N-Out with grilled onions and extra spread. This is her go-to comfort food from the popular fast-food chain.
Tom Holland's Spicy Vodka Fusilli: Her boyfriend, Tom Holland, has revealed that Zendaya's signature spicy vodka fusilli is a dish he praises.
Vegetarian Pizza: Despite not being a huge fan of vegetables, she has been known to enjoy vegetarian pizza, admitting that sometimes she just wants pizza.

Zendaya's Eating Habits: A Concluding Thought

Zendaya's morning eating habits are anything but conventional. Far from the image of a celebrity adhering to a rigid, ultra-healthy diet, she approaches food with a relatable, relaxed attitude. She's not a morning person when it comes to eating, loves an indulgent, sweet treat like pancakes with Nutella, and navigates her vegetarianism with a unique twist. This insight into what does Zendaya eat in the morning ultimately highlights her down-to-earth personality and proves that even Hollywood's biggest stars have their own quirky, yet charming, dietary quirks.

For more information on Zendaya's general diet, including a rice salad recipe, check out this Yahoo! article: What Zendaya Eats in a Day to Stay Glowing and Fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zendaya does not have a strict breakfast routine and often skips the meal entirely. She has stated that she is not a "breakfast person" and prefers to sleep in rather than eat early.

Yes, Zendaya loves pancakes with berries and Nutella, but she enjoys them as more of a comfort meal later in the day, not necessarily first thing in the morning.

Yes, Zendaya has been a vegetarian since she was nine years old. Her decision was based on her love for animals, not for a love of vegetables.

During a busy day, Zendaya has mentioned enjoying a simple lunch like a cup of noodles with hot sauce while on set.

Zendaya has stated that she doesn't cook much. She relies on her assistant or family to help with meals, and often opts for takeout.

As a vegetarian, Zendaya's favorite fast-food comfort food is a grilled cheese sandwich from In-N-Out, which she orders with grilled onions and extra spread.

Zendaya has said she dislikes water and coffee. Instead, she prefers juices, such as Tropicana or lemonade, throughout the day.

While the core of her diet—being a vegetarian who loves animals but not vegetables—has remained consistent, her specific meal choices have varied over the years based on her busy schedule and evolving tastes.