The infamously strict diet Madonna swears by as she turns 68
All hail Madonna, who is set to celebrate her 68th birthday on Sunday (16 August). While details of a potential star-studded bash remain strictly under wraps, thousands of her fans across the globe are apparently heading to organised Madonna-themed events to raise a glass to the Queen of Pop.
Devout followers are also likely to continue enjoying the legendary singer’s latest record, Confessions II, while others will be scrolling through YouTube, reliving iconic moments, including her recent viral performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The youthful icon, who famously told Vogue in 1988 that she maintained her physique by doing two hours of exercise, seven days a week, has revealed tidbits about her diet over the years.
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According to WebMD, the most solid information about the mother of two’s eating habits is that she mostly follows a plant-based plan rooted in traditional Japanese cuisine.
Madonna eats to the ‘macrobiotic diet’
Disciples of the macrobiotic diet eat organic, locally grown and seasonal produce while avoiding foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, as per BBC Good Food.
Developed by a Japanese philosopher called George Ohsawa, the macrobiotic diet is considered a holistic approach to health, often consiting of:
- 40 to 60 percent wholegrains, such as buckwheat, brown rice, and quinoa
- 20 to 30 percent locally grown fruits and vegetables, such as kale, carrots, and pumpkin
- 10 to 25 percent beans and fermented foods, such as tofu, fermented soybeans, and seaweed.
The latter was apparently served to her every second day by former personal chef, Mayumi Nishimura.
The publication reports that some followers avoid eating meat dairy and eggs, and that only eating and drinking when body cues are ‘triggered’ is a must.
Other ‘rules’ that many macrobiotic diet followers adhere to include avoiding microwave ovens, purifying water before cooking, and not consuming any alcoholic drinks.
What Madonna eats for dinner on the macrobiotic diet
In an interview with CNN's Larry King, Madonna once described a typical dinner time looks like for her.
The main course is often fish served with ‘some kind of grains, some kind of cooked vegetable’ and salad.
Describing the meal as ‘simple but tasty’, the ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’’ hitmaker added that she sometimes treats herself to dessert.
"When I'm sneaking and I'm having a moment of decadence, I eat toast with strawberry jam,” she claimed.
Experts weighs in on the macrobiotic diet
The seven-time Grammy winner’s diet has been the talk of the town for years, with some experts praising her dedication.
Functional nutritionist Pauline Cox previously told RBC-Ukraine that the foundation of complex carbohydrates — such as brown rice, legumes, and oats — provides a slow release of energy, allowing Madonna to ‘withstand extreme physical demands and remain at the top of the pop industry’.
Meanwhile, Dr David Topping, chief food-nutrition researcher at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, praised the Material Girl’s possible penchant for fermented food.
“This diet that Madonna is following is very sensible,” he once said to the Vancouver Sun.
“The bacteria that live inside you are fulfilling very important functions.”
Healthline has reported that some people hoping to follow in Madonna’s footsteps may find the diet too restrictive and lacking in certain nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.
The site also noted: “Macrobiotics isn’t recommended as a substitute for medical care or traditional therapy for anyone dealing with a diagnosis, such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.”
Other celebrities who also eat macrobiotic diet
The Dangerous Game actress is not the only famous face who adheres to macrobiotic diet rules, with Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, and Alicia Silverstone all previously waxing lyrical about the meal plan.
British musician Sting has also previously claimed the macrobiotic diet is the answer to his youthful appearance.
"I drink alcohol. I don't smoke anything legal. I drink coffee. I like chocolate and ice cream. But apart from that I'm really healthy,” he famously said in a 2003 interview.
Sting, 74, and his wife Trudie Styler, also grow their own foods, with the latter writing in her 1999 recipe book: “I decided that I would only be satisfied if I knew exactly what we were putting on our plates.”
Madonna’s ‘favourite snack’
Outside of her strict diet, the ‘Like a Prayer’ icon is allegedly a lifelong lover of popcorn.
Earlier this summer, she told Interview Magazine that the puffed corn kernels were her ‘favourite food’ and that she likes to put Brewer’s yeast on it as a topper.
The latter is a single-celled fungus used in beer and bread production. It’s also considered a good source of chromium and vitamin B.
According to Azmina Govindji, an award-winning dietitian, popcorn can be a much healthier alternative to crisps for satisfying snack cravings.
“Popcorn contains protein and fibre. What you need to be mindful of is the pack size. Weight for weight, crisps are higher in calories and fat and give you less fibre and protein. So I'd say, on balance popcorn is healthier than regular fried potato crisps,” she explained to Women’s Health.
If you’re as obsessed as the Evita actress is with popcorn, then be wary that you should limit your portions to only 25 to 30g per day.
When asked if popcorn is ‘good for weight loss’, Govindji added: “All foods are ok for weight loss. It just depends on how much you eat and how often you eat them. If you're buying a pack, choose a serving size that gives you around 100kcal.”
Ella Scott