What food does Jeff Bezos eat? A Billionaire's Diverse Palate

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2017, the internet erupted when a noticeably bulked-up Jeff Bezos appeared at a 'Billionaire Camp' event, sparking worldwide interest in his diet and fitness transformation. This led many to wonder: what food does Jeff Bezos eat now compared to his early days running Amazon, and how did he achieve such a dramatic physical change?

Quick Summary

Jeff Bezos's diet has evolved from early Amazon-era processed foods to a diverse mix of adventurous and nostalgic meals, fueled by a high-protein diet supporting his intense fitness routine. It includes everything from breakfast octopus and Peking duck to family pancake rituals and occasional fast food indulgences.

Key Points

Breakfast Octopus: Jeff Bezos is famously known for having eaten Mediterranean octopus with potatoes, bacon, and green garlic yogurt for breakfast during a 2010 business meeting.
Evolution from Processed Foods: His diet shifted dramatically from early Amazon days, where he ate a full can of Pillsbury biscuits for breakfast, to a protein-focused plan for health and fitness.
Nostalgic and Comfort Foods: Despite a high-end palate, he enjoys simple, nostalgic foods like McDonald's burgers and uses Betty Crocker mix for Sunday pancakes with his family.
Protein and Fat-Rich Diet: For his intense fitness regimen, Bezos consumes a diet rich in protein and healthy fats, which supports his muscle gain and overall performance.
Diverse Palate: He embraces a variety of cuisines, from indulgent Peking duck at a Chinese restaurant to exotic, unusual items at Explorers Club dinners.
Strategic Eating: The 'two-pizza rule' for meetings shows how he integrates food philosophies into his professional life, while his investment in plant-based proteins reflects a forward-looking, sustainable food perspective.

The Surprising Shift from Biscuits to Brute Force

Jeff Bezos's dietary evolution is a tale of two distinct phases. In the early, chaotic days of building Amazon, he famously had an unhealthy diet, consuming a whole can of Pillsbury biscuits for breakfast regularly. His focus was not on nutrition, but on efficiency, admitting he had never read a nutrition label. However, his transformation into a global powerhouse and physically imposing figure in his later years was accompanied by a radical overhaul of his eating habits. This shift reflects a deliberate move toward a more disciplined, protein-rich diet that supports his wellness goals.

The Iconic Breakfast Octopus

Perhaps the most famous story about what Jeff Bezos eats involves a breakfast meeting in 2010. During a high-stakes discussion about a potential acquisition, Bezos reportedly ordered a Mediterranean octopus dish served with potatoes, bacon, and green garlic yogurt. He famously used the octopus as a metaphor for the bold acquisition, stating, "You're the octopus that I'm having for breakfast… I must have the breakfast octopus". This incident highlighted his adventurous palate and his willingness to embrace the unconventional in both business and food. This protein-rich, unusual start to the day is a far cry from his previous biscuit habit and fuels his intense morning routine.

A Blend of Extravagance and Simplicity

While the octopus story captures his audacious side, Bezos's diet is a balanced mix of gourmet indulgence and simple comforts. His tastes are remarkably varied, reflecting both his down-to-earth roots and his high-flying lifestyle.

A List of Jeff Bezos's Culinary Tastes:

Breakfast Octopus: A notoriously eccentric, high-protein meal served with poached egg, green garlic yogurt, and potatoes.
Betty Crocker Pancakes: A simple, family-oriented Sunday tradition where he uses a box mix for his children.
Classic Diner Fare: Enjoying classic American breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, and sausage at a local diner, as he did after a Blue Origin launch.
McDonald's Burger: A nostalgic throwback to his first job, a comfort food he has posted about enjoying.
Peking Duck: An indulgent, upscale meat dish, showing his appreciation for authentic, high-end cuisine.
Pizza: A functional food in his professional life, famously used for the 'two-pizza rule,' but also enjoyed personally.
Cheetos: A self-confessed junk food guilty pleasure.
Plant-Based Protein: A dietary area he is investing in for the future, promoting sustainable food systems.
Roasted Iguana: Another exotic food reportedly sampled at an Explorers Club dinner.

Past vs. Present: The Bezos Diet Comparison


Dietary Aspect	Early Amazon Era	Post-Transformation (Modern)
Focus	Speed and efficiency, ignoring nutritional value.	Health, fitness, and fuel for an active lifestyle.
Breakfast	Processed Pillsbury biscuits.	Mediterranean octopus, poached egg, and yogurt.
Protein Intake	Low, based on processed food consumption.	High-protein and high-fat diet, supporting muscle gain.
Food Variety	Limited and unadventurous.	A mix of exotic, high-end, and simple, nostalgic fare.
Consciousness	Little to no awareness of nutrition labels.	Very deliberate, thoughtful choices, including investment in sustainable options.
Indulgences	Regularly eating processed, junk food.	Occasional, controlled "cheat meals" of fast food or snacks.

Fueling the Fitness Monster

Bezos's transition to a protein-heavy, healthy diet directly coincides with his remarkable physical transformation. His partner, Lauren Sanchez, has described him as a "monster in the gym". This intense workout regimen, guided by celebrity trainer Wes Okerson, is complemented by his diet, which prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods that help build and maintain muscle. The inclusion of high-protein dishes like grilled octopus and lean meats is not just for flavor but serves a functional purpose in his fitness journey. His diet is a testament to the idea that consistent, protein-focused eating, combined with regular exercise, can dramatically alter one's physique and overall health.

Conclusion

What food does Jeff Bezos eat is not a simple question with a single answer. His palate is as complex and varied as his business empire. From the extravagant and symbolic breakfast octopus to the wholesome simplicity of boxed pancakes on a Sunday, his dietary habits showcase a man who balances global ambitions with personal, nostalgic comforts. The most significant shift in his diet is the move from an unconcerned, processed-food approach to a deliberate, protein-rich one that fuels his impressive fitness routine. This transformation is a powerful example of how consciously applied discipline can redefine one's personal health, just as it has redefined his professional success. His journey from biscuit-eater to muscular titan highlights the profound impact that food choices have on not only physical appearance but overall well-being and performance.

Business Insider: Tech Exec Diets

Frequently Asked Questions

Jeff Bezos's most famous breakfast is the Mediterranean octopus with potatoes, bacon, and green garlic yogurt, which he ordered at a meeting in 2010.

No, early in his career while building Amazon, Bezos admitted to a poor diet, which included regularly eating an entire can of Pillsbury biscuits for breakfast.

Yes, Jeff Bezos has been known to have occasional 'cheat meals,' including McDonald's burgers and Cheetos, acknowledging his nostalgic love for them.

Bezos follows a protein-heavy, high-fat diet, coordinated with his personal trainer, to fuel his intense workouts and build muscle mass.

For his family, Jeff Bezos has a Sunday morning tradition of making pancakes using a Betty Crocker mix.

The 'two-pizza rule' is an Amazon philosophy stating that no meeting should have more people than could be fed by two pizzas, promoting small, efficient teams.

Yes, through his Bezos Earth Fund, he has pledged significant funding to support the production and consumption of plant-based proteins.