George Harrison's Dietary Journey: From Liverpool to India
Before embarking on his spiritual journey, George Harrison grew up on the simple, classic foods typical of working-class Liverpool. Favorites from his childhood included his father's Sunday roast dinners, along with Shepherd's Pie and other hearty British staples. This traditional, meat-heavy diet was the foundation of his early life, but it would soon change dramatically.
The Shift to a Vegetarian Lifestyle in the 1960s
In 1965, while filming Help!, George picked up a sitar, which was the beginning of his deep engagement with Indian culture. This newfound interest in Indian philosophy and Hindu beliefs profoundly influenced his worldview, leading him to embrace vegetarianism shortly thereafter. He was motivated by both ethical concerns about killing animals and a belief that a meat-free diet was healthier and more natural.
His wife at the time, Pattie Boyd, supported this change by cooking a variety of Indian vegetarian dishes for him. This exposure to Indian cuisine not only removed meat from his plate but also introduced a rich new world of flavors and ingredients. He spoke openly about his belief in vegetarianism, stating, "The thing that repelled me about eating meat was the idea of killing animals. But the main issue is that meat-eating is not healthy and its not natural".
Staple Foods and Favorite Dishes
George's vegetarian diet was far from restrictive, embracing the vibrant and flavorful world of Indian cooking. His love for Indian cuisine became a defining part of his food habits, and a few specific dishes became his go-to meals.
- Indian-Inspired Vegetarian Dishes: According to his biographer Graeme Thomson, Harrison enjoyed staples like dal (lentils), rice, chapati (Indian flatbread), and various curries. He even contributed a recipe for a vegetarian soup to Mary Frampton's Rock and Roll Cookbook, which included lentils, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices like cumin and chili.
- The 'Dark Horse' Lentil Soup: This hearty and flavorful lentil soup was one of Harrison's signature dishes. The recipe highlights his appreciation for simple, wholesome ingredients and bold Indian spices.
- Simple British Comforts: Despite his shift towards global flavors, Harrison never completely abandoned his British roots. He was known to enjoy simple dishes like beans on toast and muesli with dairy-free milk. He also had a famously simple sandwich preference: cheese, lettuce, and Marmite.
George Harrison's Diet vs. His Bandmates
To better understand George Harrison's dietary choices, it's helpful to compare them with his fellow Beatles. While all the members experimented with vegetarianism to varying degrees, George's commitment was arguably the most consistent and long-lasting.
| Feature | George Harrison | Paul McCartney | John Lennon | Ringo Starr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraced Vegetarianism | Around 1965. | Became a committed vegetarian in the 1970s with Linda. | On-and-off, intermittent vegetarian. | Moved to vegetarianism in the later 1960s. |
| Primary Influence | Indian spirituality and ethics. | Empathy for animals on his farm. | General curiosity and experimentation. | Health concerns due to a sensitive stomach. |
| Consistency | Highly consistent, remaining largely meat-free until his final years. | Remained a vocal and committed vegetarian for decades. | Inconsistent, often moving on to other diets. | Became very consistent later in life. |
| Favorite Food | Indian curries, dal, and lentil soup. | Vegetarian pasta and comfort food. | Cornflakes, toast, and later, sushi. | Baked beans, simple dishes, and broccoli. |
The Spiritual and Philosophical Roots of Harrison's Diet
For George Harrison, food was not merely sustenance; it was an extension of his spiritual and philosophical beliefs. His immersion in Hinduism and the Hare Krishna movement profoundly influenced his choices. The Hindu concept of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all living things, was a central tenet of his life and a core reason for his vegetarianism. He believed that to honor life, he could not participate in the killing of animals for food.
In a 1978 interview, Harrison noted that as he got older and spent more time meditating, his relationship with food changed. He found he could go for periods without eating and didn't miss it, as his mind was occupied with other spiritual aspects of his life. This shift highlights how his diet was a manifestation of a deeper internal process rather than just a physical regimen. While his diet relaxed somewhat later in life to include occasional seafood, his core vegetarian principles remained intact.
Conclusion
What was George Harrison's diet? It was a story of profound transformation. Starting from the meat-and-potatoes fare of post-war Britain, his journey led him to a dedicated and spiritually-motivated vegetarianism inspired by Indian culture. His diet was a reflection of his beliefs in non-violence and health, favoring flavorful curries, lentil soups, and simple plant-based comforts. More than just a list of foods, his eating habits symbolized a deeply personal and meaningful evolution, demonstrating how his inner life shaped his outer one.
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