The Evolution of Tesla's Eating Habits
Nikola Tesla's diet was not static throughout his life but underwent a significant transformation driven by his personal health theories and ascetic lifestyle. During his early years, Tesla's diet was more conventional and included meat. However, as he aged, he became increasingly convinced of the detrimental effects of certain foods and shifted his consumption toward a more plant-based approach. The 1944 biography Prodigal Genius notes that Tesla first reduced his meat intake by substituting fish, which he always boiled, before eventually eliminating animal flesh entirely. He believed that eating meat and fish introduced excessive uric acid into the system, which he linked to various health ailments, particularly in the later stages of life.
Tesla's Two-Meal-a-Day Schedule
Long before the modern popularity of intermittent fasting, Tesla was a devoted follower of a two-meal-a-day schedule, which he adopted by consistently skipping lunch. He advocated for this eating pattern as a means to prevent blood from being diverted from the brain to the stomach during the day, thereby preserving mental energy for his work. Tesla reasoned that a mid-day meal would induce a period of sluggishness, diminishing his productivity and mental focus. He often timed his meals to align with his strenuous work schedule, having his first meal to provide fuel for his work and his second meal in the evening to replenish his body during rest.
Key Components of Tesla's Diet
Tesla's diet was simple, clean, and consistent. It was primarily composed of the following items:
- Breakfast: He typically consumed a glass or two of warm milk and a few eggs. In his later years, he exclusively consumed egg whites, as he believed the yolk was too acidic.
- Dinner: His evening meal was simple but nourishing. It often included a vegetable soup, cooked vegetables like celery and onions drenched in butter, potatoes, and sometimes a small piece of cheese.
- Fruits: He was a fond eater of apples, which he believed aided digestion and provided natural sugars.
- Fluids: Water and milk were his staples. He also had a complex relationship with alcohol, sometimes consuming it but abstaining later in life, viewing coffee and tea as harmful stimulants.
- Avoided items: Meat, fish (in his later years), coffee, and tea were systematically excluded from his diet.
Comparison: Tesla's Diet vs. Gilded Age Norms
To truly appreciate Tesla's dietary choices, it is useful to contrast them with the typical eating habits of his American contemporaries during the Gilded Age. Wealthy Americans of the era were known for lavish, multi-course meals featuring large quantities of meat, heavy starches, and rich desserts. Tesla's approach was a stark departure from this opulence.
| Feature | Nikola Tesla's Diet | Typical Gilded Age Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Meal Frequency | Two meals a day (breakfast and dinner), skipping lunch. | Three or more meals, often including a large, heavy lunch. |
| Meat Consumption | Sparingly, eventually eliminated entirely due to concerns over uric acid. | Very frequent and in large quantities, seen as a sign of prosperity. |
| Vegetables | Liberal consumption, typically boiled or cooked simply with butter. | Often part of the meal, but secondary to meat and potatoes. |
| Starch | Potatoes and bread were included. | High starch intake, including potatoes, corn, and biscuits. |
| Stimulants | Abstained from coffee and tea in later life. | Coffee and tea were widely consumed. |
Philosophical and Eccentric Habits
Tesla's diet was deeply intertwined with his overall philosophy on life and health, as well as his peculiar eccentricities. He was a notorious germaphobe, a phobia that developed after a near-fatal battle with cholera in his youth. This fear manifested in his meticulous dining rituals, where he would use a staggering number of napkins to clean his dining table and utensils before every meal. He also possessed an obsession with the number three, which reportedly extended to the number of times he would wash his hands or walk around a building. Another oddity was his habit of calculating the volume of the food he was about to eat before taking a bite, leading him to prefer dining alone. Despite his unusual habits, Tesla lived to the age of 86, and he credited his disciplined diet and active lifestyle for his longevity.
Conclusion: The Diet of a Genius
Nikola Tesla's diet was a deliberate and eccentric creation, developed not to follow a social trend but to support his intense intellectual pursuits and prolong his life. His adoption of what we now recognize as intermittent fasting, his emphasis on plant-based foods to reduce uric acid, and his abstinence from common stimulants like coffee and tea were all components of a highly personalized health regimen. While his peculiar rituals might seem bizarre, they were an integral part of his disciplined mind. Tesla's dietary choices provide a fascinating look into the lifestyle of a brilliant inventor who sought to optimize every aspect of his existence to serve his work. To learn more about the potential benefits of intermittent fasting, a practice Tesla adopted, reviews of scientific studies are available online.
