Nikola Tesla's Vegetarian Diet and Intermittent Fasting
Nikola Tesla's diet evolved throughout his life, becoming increasingly restrictive as he aged. Early in his career, he consumed some meat and fish, but in his later decades, he adopted a mostly vegetarian lifestyle. His dietary philosophy was rooted in his belief that excessive eating stifled mental clarity and placed unnecessary burdens on the body. He was an early proponent of what is now known as intermittent fasting, habitually eating only two meals per day and skipping lunch entirely.
The Two-Meal Structure
Tesla's typical day consisted of a nutritious breakfast and an early dinner, with no eating in between. This allowed his digestive system a significant period of rest, which he believed was crucial for maintaining health and mental focus. In a 1935 interview, he stated, "I did not know what life was until I eliminated lunch".
- Breakfast: Often included warm milk, eggs (specifically egg whites to avoid uric acid), and fresh fruit. He believed milk was easily digestible and eggs provided ample protein.
- Dinner: Consisted of simple, cooked vegetables, occasionally with fish or a small portion of lean poultry earlier in life. He was particularly fond of a mixture of cooked onions and celery with a great deal of butter, which he found easily digestible.
Avoidance of Uric Acid and Stimulants
Tesla was vocal about avoiding foods that he believed introduced excessive uric acid into the system, which he associated with conditions like arthritis, high blood pressure, and a shortened lifespan. This conviction led him to avoid meat and fish almost entirely in his later years, and even exclude egg yolks. He also gave up stimulants like coffee, tea, and tobacco, viewing them as harmful poisons to the system, though he struggled to quit coffee initially.
Tesla's Daily Exercise Regime
In addition to his specific diet, Tesla maintained a rigorous and systematic approach to physical activity. His routine, which he considered a vital component of his mental and physical conditioning, included walking and a unique bathing regimen.
Walking for Health and Inspiration
Tesla believed walking was the most stimulating and beneficial activity for the mind. He walked a considerable distance every day, often between eight and ten miles, which is equivalent to 13 to 16 kilometers or over 20,000 steps. His long walks were not merely for physical health; they were a form of moving meditation, used to gather his thoughts and inspire creative breakthroughs. This practice of daily walking is supported by modern science, which links consistent, moderate-intensity exercise to reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
Unique Bathing Habits
Tesla’s exercise routine included an unconventional approach to bathing that he believed invigorated both his body and mind. He would typically take a hot bath followed by a cold shower. He also proposed a futuristic concept of a "waterless bath," where a high-voltage, high-frequency electric current would pass through the body to clean and stimulate it. While the electric bath is a bizarre and dangerous idea by today's standards, the hot-and-cold therapy is a well-documented practice still used today to enhance circulation and reduce stress.
A Comparison of Tesla's and Common Modern Health Habits
| Feature | Nikola Tesla's Habit | Common Modern Health Advice | How They Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Frequency | Two meals per day; intermittent fasting. | Three regular meals plus snacks. Intermittent fasting is gaining traction. | Tesla was ahead of his time on intermittent fasting, though it wasn't a mainstream concept then. |
| Dietary Focus | Largely vegetarian; emphasis on vegetables, milk, honey, and nuts. | Balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. | Both emphasize plant-based foods, but modern diets accept lean meat more readily. |
| Meat/Fish | Consumed very rarely, if at all, especially later in life, to avoid uric acid. | Consumed in moderation, with emphasis on lean sources for protein. | Tesla's stance was extreme; modern science supports moderate meat consumption. |
| Stimulants | Avoided coffee, tea, and tobacco. | Moderation is advised, but not strict abstinence for most. Tobacco is strongly discouraged. | Tesla's strict avoidance aligns with modern understanding of tobacco's harms, but his rejection of all stimulants was extreme. |
| Exercise | Daily long walks (8-10 miles). | Regular aerobic exercise, recommended at least 150 minutes per week. | Tesla’s commitment to walking far exceeded standard modern guidelines, contributing to his excellent health. |
| Bathing | Hot bath followed by cold shower. | Showers vary, but hot/cold therapy is recognized for its benefits. | His practice is a less conventional, though modernly validated, health technique. |
Tesla's Philosophical Approach to the Body
Tesla viewed his body and mind as a finely-tuned machine, with his daily habits designed to maximize performance and longevity. He believed that mental clarity was a direct result of a disciplined physical life. His eccentricities, such as his focus on the number three and his celibacy, were part of this overarching philosophy of conservation and optimization. He lived a largely solitary life to focus his energies on his work, which he considered a form of self-perpetuation. Tesla's methodical and controlled lifestyle, while unusual, was a deliberate attempt to master his physical and mental state for the sake of his inventions and pursuit of knowledge.
The Impact of Discipline on Innovation
Tesla's discipline and unusual habits were not mere quirks; they were foundational to his innovative process. By carefully managing his diet and exercise, he sought to eliminate distractions and physical ailments that could impede his creative work. This focus, combined with his unique visualization abilities, enabled him to conduct complex experiments and develop groundbreaking inventions mentally before ever building a prototype. His approach highlights the deep connection he saw between a healthy, controlled body and a powerful, focused mind.
Conclusion
Nikola Tesla's health practices were a combination of disciplined habits and eccentric obsessions, all aimed at achieving a life of optimal mental and physical performance. His two-meal, largely vegetarian diet, his daily long-distance walks, and his unique bathing ritual were far from conventional for his time. While some of his beliefs, like the total elimination of coffee and his fascination with electric baths, were extreme or even dangerous, his core principles of moderation, consistent exercise, and thoughtful nutrition are surprisingly relevant today. Tesla’s life serves as a testament to the power of self-discipline in the pursuit of genius, proving that an extraordinary mind can be sustained by an equally extraordinary and carefully curated lifestyle.
The Unconventional Genius: Tesla's Health Habits Unveiled
- Two Meals a Day: Tesla practiced a form of intermittent fasting, eating only breakfast and dinner to avoid overburdening his digestive system and maintain mental focus.
- Uric Acid Concerns: He largely avoided meat and egg yolks in his later years, believing that uric acid shortened life and caused various ailments.
- Emphasis on Vegetables: Vegetables were a cornerstone of his diet, valued for their mineral salts and ability to counteract acidity.
- Daily Long Walks: Walking 8 to 10 miles each day was his primary form of exercise, which he credited for maintaining good health and fostering creative thought.
- Hot and Cold Therapy: He regularly took hot baths followed by cold showers to stimulate his circulation and invigorate his body.
- Avoidance of Stimulants: Later in life, Tesla strictly avoided coffee, tea, and tobacco, believing they were harmful poisons.
- Celibacy and Focus: He remained celibate throughout his life, convinced that relationships would distract him from his scientific work.
- Observant Fasting: As the son of an Orthodox priest, he practiced certain fasts, which likely contributed to his controlled eating habits.
FAQs
Was Nikola Tesla a vegetarian? Yes, in his later years, Nikola Tesla adopted a mostly vegetarian diet, subsisting on milk, egg whites, honey, bread, vegetable juices, and plenty of vegetables.
How much did Nikola Tesla walk every day? Tesla was an avid walker and walked between eight and ten miles (about 13-16 km) daily, considering it the most stimulating and beneficial form of exercise.
Did Nikola Tesla drink coffee? No, in his later years, Tesla abstained from all stimulants, including coffee, tea, and tobacco, believing they were harmful to the system. He did have a coffee addiction in his youth, but worked to overcome it.
Why did Nikola Tesla avoid eating lunch? Tesla believed that consuming a heavy meal like lunch diverted blood flow from the brain to the stomach for digestion, impeding his mental and physical activities. He found two meals a day more beneficial.
What were Nikola Tesla's eccentric eating habits? Tesla was known for his obsessive-compulsive traits, including his fear of germs and his peculiar habit of calculating the volume of each bite of food before eating it.
Did Nikola Tesla consume alcohol? Tesla had a mixed relationship with alcohol. While he consumed it earlier in his life and once called it an "elixir of life," he eventually abstained from it along with other stimulants.
What was Nikola Tesla's sleep schedule like? Tesla claimed to sleep very little, sometimes as little as two hours a night, occasionally taking naps. He reportedly learned to achieve profound, restorative sleep in a short amount of time.
