Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger stop eating meat? His reasons revealed

October 3, 2025 •

2 min read

In an interview from June 2023, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed he now eats "about 80% less meat than I used to". The legendary bodybuilder's dietary shift raises the question, 'Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger stop eating meat?,' a change motivated by serious health concerns and environmental advocacy.

Quick Summary

Arnold Schwarzenegger transitioned to a mostly plant-based, flexitarian diet for improved heart health following surgeries and for environmental reasons, though he has not entirely eliminated meat from his diet.

Key Points

Mostly Plant-Based: Arnold Schwarzenegger is not fully vegan but eats about 80% less meat, following a flexitarian style for health and environmental reasons.
Heart Health: A primary driver was a series of heart surgeries, with doctors recommending a diet lower in cholesterol-raising animal products.
Environmental Advocacy: His reduction in meat aligns with his long-standing commitment to fighting climate change and reducing his carbon footprint.
Aging for Longevity: The diet shift is part of an overall adaptation of his lifestyle for healthier aging, moving away from the extreme bulking phase of his youth.
Promoting Flexibility: He advocates for a sustainable, flexible approach rather than a rigid, all-or-nothing dietary dogma.
Inspiring Athletes: As an executive producer of The Game Changers, he promotes the idea that a plant-based diet can support peak athletic performance.

The Evolution of a Bodybuilder's Diet

During his bodybuilding career in the 1970s, Arnold Schwarzenegger followed a traditional diet focused on high quantities of animal protein to build muscle. This approach was common at the time, emphasizing frequent meals with steak and eggs. However, as he aged, his priorities shifted toward long-term health and sustainability, leading him to re-evaluate his diet.

Health Imperatives: The Heart's Call

A major reason for Schwarzenegger's dietary change is his heart health. He has undergone multiple open-heart surgeries related to a congenital heart defect. Following medical advice for longevity and reducing cardiovascular risks, he decided to significantly reduce his meat intake.

The Impact on Cholesterol

Schwarzenegger has reported positive health outcomes from his diet change, including significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels. He has shared that his doctor was surprised by the dramatic improvement in his cholesterol. This experience highlights the effectiveness of a plant-based approach in managing heart disease risk.

Documentaries and Inspiration

Beyond his personal journey, Schwarzenegger was an executive producer for The Game Changers, a documentary promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet for athletes. Through this, he supports the idea that elite-level fitness is achievable without a meat-heavy diet.

The Environmental Standpoint

As a former Governor of California and environmentalist, Schwarzenegger also links his diet to climate action. He acknowledges the significant environmental impact of animal agriculture and believes that reducing personal meat consumption is a step towards sustainable living. He suggests that starting with small changes, like one or two meat-free days a week, can be an effective way for people to contribute to environmental efforts.

A Flexible, Sustainable Approach

Schwarzenegger describes his current diet as approximately 80% plant-based. This flexitarian style enables a sustainable, long-term healthy lifestyle. For details on his specific protein sources and a comparison between his old and new diets, you can refer to {Link: vaccination.gov.ng https://vaccination.gov.ng/uploaded-files/FZ9CQ3/1S9027/ArnoldSchwarzeneggerVeganDiet.pdf}.

Conclusion: A Shift in Perspective

Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to significantly reduce meat intake is influenced by health factors, particularly his heart surgeries, and his environmental commitment. His transition to a mostly plant-based, flexitarian diet demonstrates that adapting nutrition for health and sustainability is beneficial at any age.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not completely vegan. He describes his diet as being about 80% plant-based, making him a flexitarian. He still consumes some animal products like eggs, salmon, chicken, and occasionally meat like schnitzel or steak.

Schwarzenegger changed his diet primarily for health reasons, specifically for improved cholesterol and heart health after undergoing multiple heart surgeries. He also shifted his diet for environmental concerns, advocating for reduced meat consumption to help combat climate change.

His current protein sources include eggs, salmon, chicken, veggie burgers, lentils, beans, chickpeas, and pea protein powder. This mix of plant-based and lean animal proteins supports his health goals.

Yes, his multiple open-heart surgeries and concerns over cholesterol were a major motivation for reducing his meat intake. Following medical advice, he adopted a more plant-based diet, which dramatically lowered his bad cholesterol.

Yes, as an environmental advocate, he has publicly spoken about the need to reduce meat consumption to help combat climate change. He often references the high greenhouse gas emissions associated with animal agriculture.

Schwarzenegger and the documentary The Game Changers, which he executive produced, suggest that a well-planned plant-based diet can support bodybuilding. They highlight that many athletes successfully build muscle on a meat-free diet.

A 'flexitarian' diet is a flexible, mostly vegetarian eating style that allows for the occasional inclusion of meat and animal products. Schwarzenegger's 80% plant-based diet falls into this category.