What's Jared Leto's Favorite Food? The Truth Behind the Vegan-ish Diet

December 7, 2025 •

3 min read

For over two decades, Jared Leto has maintained a predominantly vegan diet, a lifestyle he frequently credits for his surprisingly youthful appearance. While his public persona is often shrouded in mystery, his food preferences offer a clear window into the disciplined yet sometimes playful world of the Oscar-winning actor and rockstar.

Quick Summary

An examination of actor and musician Jared Leto's food choices, highlighting his long-term commitment to a plant-based diet while also revealing his fondness for nostalgic snacks and British comfort foods.

Key Points

Long-Term Veganism: Jared Leto has followed a predominantly vegan diet for over twenty years, though he refers to himself as a 'cheagan,' or a 'cheating vegan'.
Healthy Staples: His regular diet consists of whole plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and specific favorites such as sweet potatoes and popcorn.
Nostalgic Snacks: Leto has a documented love for comfort foods and snacks from his childhood, including toasted Pop-Tarts, Double-Stuf Oreos, and Froot Loops.
British Food Fan: He has also expressed a strong preference for British foods, naming beans on toast as one of his favorites.
Holistic Health: His diet is part of a larger health regimen that includes meditation and exercise, which he credits for his sustained health and youthful look.

The Core of Leto's Diet: Vegan Staples and Whole Foods

Jared Leto has consistently emphasized his dedication to a vegan lifestyle over the past twenty years, abstaining from meat and dairy products. This approach is not a fleeting trend but a core part of his overall health strategy, which also includes regular exercise and meditation. His daily routine, as once shared in a YouTube segment, showcases a commitment to whole, nutrient-dense foods. A typical day might start with a glass of lemon water, followed by fresh fruit juice. Lunch could feature a vibrant salad, while a green smoothie rounds out the evening meal. His fridge, as revealed in an Instagram 'shelfie', is stocked with healthful ingredients like fermented foods, almond milk, and Ezekiel bread, proving that plant-based eating forms the foundation of his nutrition.

Sweet Potatoes: A Favorite for Good Reason

Among his healthy choices, Leto has singled out sweet potatoes as a favorite food. He loves them for their natural sweetness and nutritional value, describing them as one of nature's perfect foods. He's even shared a simple preparation method: baking them until they leak a bit of their natural sugar, then adding a pinch of sea salt and a little olive oil. This simple, clean preparation highlights his preference for uncomplicated, flavorful dishes.

Snacks and Comfort Foods: The Surprising Side

While his core diet is incredibly clean, Leto isn't immune to a few nostalgic treats and comfort foods. During a YouTube 'Snack Wars' appearance, he professed his love for British fare, calling beans on toast one of his favorite things to eat. He also showed enthusiasm for items like Earl Grey tea and certain candies. In a separate instance, he revealed a fondness for snacks like Pop-Tarts, Double-Stuf Oreos, and even Froot Loops, explaining that he was deprived of sugary cereals as a child and now indulges occasionally. He acknowledged his preferences for these sometimes-not-so-vegan items by candidly admitting his 'cheagan' habits, a term for a 'cheating vegan'.

The 'Cheagan' Philosophy

Leto’s self-proclaimed 'cheagan' status offers a flexible, realistic take on veganism. He clarifies that while he never eats meat, he might make exceptions for certain items, like a cookie baked by someone's mom. This flexibility prevents his diet from becoming restrictive and unsustainable, allowing for occasional diversions without abandoning his core plant-based principles. This balanced approach is likely a key factor in his decades-long adherence to the diet, proving that it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle without being overly rigid.

Jared Leto's Favorite Foods: A Breakdown

Here is a list of some of Jared Leto's most mentioned favorite foods and preferences:

Sweet Potatoes: A nutrient-dense staple, loved for their natural sweetness.
Popcorn: A healthy, whole-grain snack he enjoys.
Beans on Toast: A nostalgic, simple comfort food.
Hot Chocolate with Almond Milk: A warm, vegan-friendly treat.
Toasted Pop-Tarts: A classic nostalgic indulgence.
Double-Stuf Oreos: Another sweet snack he's known to enjoy.
Grits with Plant-Based Milk: A childhood favorite prepared in a vegan-friendly way.
Earl Grey Tea: A preferred beverage from his British snack test.

Comparison: Jared Leto's Healthy vs. Indulgent Choices


Feature	Healthy Daily Diet	Occasional 'Cheagan' Indulgences
Staple Foods	Fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, Ezekiel bread	Popcorn, Beans on toast, Toasted Pop-Tarts
Beverages	Water with lemon, Fresh juices, Almond milk hot chocolate	Earl Grey tea, Froot Loops (with plant milk)
Desserts	Fruit-based smoothies, Healthier snacks	Double-Stuf Oreos, Homemade cookies
Motivation	Long-term health, youthful appearance, animal advocacy	Nostalgia, comfort, social situations
Frequency	Consistent, everyday practice	Infrequent, special occasions

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Eating

To sum up, while the definitive answer to 'What's Jared Leto's favorite food?' is a complex one, it's clear his preferences are influenced by his long-standing commitment to a plant-based diet alongside a dose of nostalgic indulgence. From nutrient-packed sweet potatoes to the simple comfort of beans on toast, Leto's diet is less about strict rules and more about a holistic, sustainable lifestyle that prioritizes health while allowing for mindful 'cheating.' This balanced philosophy may very well be the real secret behind his agelessness and high-energy performances. To further explore his healthy habits, you can watch his interview with Dean Richards on YouTube where he discusses his love for sweet potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Jared Leto refers to himself as a 'cheagan,' a term for a 'cheating vegan.' While he has been predominantly plant-based for decades and never eats meat, he makes occasional exceptions for certain items, such as a cookie or wild-caught fish in specific scenarios.

Jared Leto has mentioned several favorite snacks over the years. Some notable choices include popcorn, Double-Stuf Oreos, toasted Pop-Tarts, and Froot Loops.

Yes, during a YouTube 'Snack Wars' video, Jared Leto enthusiastically declared his love for iconic British foods, specifically calling beans on toast one of his favorite things to eat.

The 'cheagan' philosophy is Leto's playful term for his dietary approach. It means he follows a vegan diet for the most part but allows himself to 'cheat' on rare occasions for specific indulgences or social situations.

Jared Leto eats a variety of vegetables as part of his plant-based diet. He has mentioned his particular fondness for sweet potatoes and his fridge has been seen to contain fresh produce like spinach, celery, and tomatoes.

No, he became a vegetarian in his teens before transitioning to a mostly vegan lifestyle over twenty years ago. His shift to veganism was influenced by learning about animal additives in dairy products.

A typical day's eating for Leto might include a glass of lemon water, fresh juices like pineapple with ginger, salads, and smoothies, demonstrating a strong preference for fresh, whole foods.