Daily diet of tech billionaires: Mark Zuckerberg's 'eat anything' to Elon Musk's Mars Bar mornings

Time of India

5 days ago

From tea-fueled mornings on private islands to Mars Bars for breakfast, the world's wealthiest tech titans follow eating habits as eccentric as their innovations. Despite their near-unlimited access to nutritionists and chefs, many billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jack Dorsey follow routines that range from minimalist and utilitarian to downright bizarre. Some embrace intermittent fasting to boost productivity, while others indulge in comfort food or experimental diets. These routines offer a glimpse into how these tech leaders balance health, time, and preference in their high-pressure lifestyles. Here's a closer look at what fuels the minds and bodies behind the tech world's biggest empires.
Mark Zuckerberg: From fast food freedom to hands-on carnivore experiments
The Facebook founder once stated he avoids 'small decisions' like choosing meals and often just eats what's convenient. While he generally has no strict dietary rules, in 2011 he undertook a personal challenge to only eat meat from animals he personally killed. This included slaughtering chickens, pigs, and even a goat. He famously served the goat—reportedly cold—to Twitter's Jack Dorsey. While the experiment ended, it reflected Zuckerberg's interest in understanding food sources firsthand. Outside of that, his diet remains flexible and relatively low-effort, favouring efficiency over health trends.
Elon Musk: Quick meals, sweet cravings and functional eating
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is notorious for his disregard for traditional meal schedules. Musk has admitted to skipping breakfast and sometimes grabbing a Mars Bar or coffee if anything at all. Lunch is often crammed into five-minute windows between meetings, usually consisting of whatever is prepared for him. He once joked that he was trying to cut down on desserts, but sweets like Diet Coke and pastries have long featured in his day. On special occasions, Musk enjoys barbecue or French cuisine, but overall, food is treated more as fuel than pleasure.
Jeff Bezos: Decadent tastes meet mindful mornings
Unlike his counterparts, Bezos is known for slow, intentional mornings. He avoids early meetings to share breakfast with his family and is known for trying exotic dishes. During one meeting, he ordered Mediterranean octopus with bacon and poached egg, which he used to describe Amazon's corporate philosophy—flexible, bold, and complex. He prefers a balanced, nutritious diet and has been seen favoring protein-rich meals. Bezos's diet reflects a mix of culinary curiosity and discipline, often tied to his image as a refined but bold leader.
Jack Dorsey: From restrictive eating to disciplined biohacking
The former Twitter and Square CEO has a history of extreme dietary experiments. He's tried everything from vegan and Paleo diets to fruitarianism. In recent years, Dorsey followed a strict regimen that included fasting for 22 hours a day and eating just one meal at dinner. His typical breakfast at one point was just two hard-boiled eggs with soy sauce. Dorsey believes this tight eating schedule helps him stay clear-headed and focused. His approach to food is strongly tied to his interest in longevity, meditation, and minimalist living.
Bill Gates: A billionaire with a fast-food heart
Despite being one of the richest people on Earth, Gates is known for a surprisingly ordinary and repetitive diet. He has a long-standing love for Diet Coke, consuming three or more cans per day. Breakfast is often skipped or consists of sugary cereal like Cocoa Puffs. Gates frequently eats cheeseburgers and has been seen carrying bags of McDonald's into meetings, often offering them to guests. His food preferences suggest comfort and nostalgia outweigh health concerns, making him stand out among his more diet-conscious peers.
Richard Branson: Tea obsession and social eating on his private island
Branson starts his day with a tropical backdrop and an incredible 20 cups of English breakfast tea. His mornings usually include a light fruit salad or muesli, sometimes accompanied by fish like kippers. Living on Necker Island, Branson treats meals as both social and business opportunities. He hosts communal lunches and dinners where conversations flow just as freely as the wine. His food habits, though generally healthy, reflect his love for company, conversation, and a balanced island lifestyle.
Steve Jobs: food philosophies and spiritual fasting
The late Apple co-founder was infamous for his food extremism. Jobs often followed fruitarian or vegan diets, sometimes eating only apples, carrots, or a single type of fruit for days. He believed these routines purified his body and mind, and even claimed that his diet eliminated the need for deodorant. Jobs also practiced extended fasting, attributing euphoric states to his lack of food. His food choices weren't about nutrition or taste, but control, clarity, and spiritual experimentation—mirroring the unconventional mindset that shaped Apple's design philosophy.
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