Warren Buffett, the nonagenarian billionaire and legendary investor, remains an enigma in many ways, not least for his dietary habits. While many people his age, and indeed, many successful CEOs, rigorously pursue health-conscious lifestyles, Buffett defies convention with an unapologetic love for junk food and sugary drinks. This isn’t just a casual indulgence; it’s a deeply ingrained pattern that has fascinated fans and baffled nutritionists for decades.
At 94 years old, the “Oracle of Omaha” is still mentally sharp, running Berkshire Hathaway, a trillion-dollar company, with no signs of slowing down. His continued vitality, despite a diet rich in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats, challenges our traditional understanding of health and longevity. It prompts us to look beyond the plate and consider the deeper philosophy that underpins his unique choices, sparking both curiosity and caution.
Let’s embark on an intriguing journey through the daily menu of one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, examining the specific foods and drinks that constitute his peculiar diet. We’ll delve into the whimsical justifications he offers, the brand loyalties that intertwine with his investment portfolio, and the sheer consistency that has become a hallmark of his approach to life and business. Prepare to be surprised, perhaps even a little amused, by the culinary world of Warren Buffett.
1. **The Coca-Cola Addiction**Perhaps the most iconic component of Warren Buffett’s daily intake is his unwavering devotion to Coca-Cola. This isn’t just a preference; it’s a significant portion of his daily caloric consumption. He famously told Fortune in 2015, “If I eat 2,700 calories a day, a quarter of that is Coca-Cola.” That translates to roughly 700 calories from soda alone.
Buffett drinks at least five 12-ounce cans every single day. He has a routine for it, too: “I have three Cokes during the day and two at night,” he revealed. While he enjoys regular Coke at his office, his preference shifts to Cherry Coke at home, a flavor he declared the “official drink” of the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting after his neighbor, Coca-Cola exec Don Keough, successfully nudged him toward it in 1986.
This profound brand loyalty is more than just taste; it’s intertwined with his business acumen. Berkshire Hathaway owns approximately 9% of The Coca-Cola Company, a stake valued at over $20 billion. Buffett’s son even called him “Pepsi Warren” until that pivotal switch. He isn’t just investing in the company; he’s living its product, praising the taste, the brand, and the feeling, making it a genuine extension of his “shareholder alignment.” His conviction that “happiness makes an enormous amount of difference in terms of longevity” perfectly aligns with his enjoyment of this carbonated beverage.
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2. **McDonald’s Market-Driven Breakfast**Buffett’s mornings don’t begin with a health shake or organic granola. Instead, his breakfast ritual is a charmingly precise affair dictated by the performance of the stock market. Every day, he stops at McDonald’s for a breakfast made up of one of three items, and his choice hinges on market conditions.
In a 2017 HBO documentary, “Becoming Warren Buffett,” the billionaire revealed his system. If the market is down, he opts for a $2.61 sausage patty. Should the market be flat, his choice upgrades slightly to a $2.95 sausage, egg, and cheese. And if stocks are up, he celebrates with a $3.17 bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. This unique method of selecting his meal, of course, is almost always enjoyed with a Coke, completing his unconventional morning routine.
He’s even been given a gold card for free burgers at his hometown McDonald’s in Omaha, a testament to his consistent patronage. This ritual showcases not only his love for simple, familiar food but also his long-standing, relatable approach to even the most mundane daily decisions. It’s a habit that resonates with his broader philosophy of consistency and uncomplicated choices, echoing his investment strategies.
3. **Dairy Queen Indulgences**Beyond his breakfast and ubiquitous Coca-Cola, Warren Buffett frequently turns to another beloved American institution for lunch and snacks: Dairy Queen. This isn’t merely a personal preference; it’s another shining example of Buffett “living his portfolio,” as Berkshire Hathaway fittingly owns the popular fast-food and ice cream chain. His visits are often for a chili-cheese dog, a classic comfort food that fits perfectly into his self-described “six-year-old” diet.
To cap off his savory meal, Buffett frequently indulges in an ice cream sundae. He’s particular about his toppings, often requesting cherry syrup and chopped nuts to complete the sweet treat. This consistent choice highlights his affinity for simple, enjoyable pleasures, eschewing complex gourmet options in favor of time-tested favorites. It’s a habit that clearly contributes to his personal happiness, which he champions as a key factor in longevity.
His enjoyment of Dairy Queen also provides a tangible link to his investment philosophy. When he partakes in the offerings of a company like Dairy Queen, it’s not just about a meal; it’s a demonstration of his confidence in the businesses he chooses to acquire and hold. This personal connection reinforces his belief in the power of well-managed, consistent consumer brands that bring joy to many, including himself.
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4. **See’s Candies: Sweet Treats as a Daily Staple**If there’s one thing Warren Buffett understands, it’s the enduring appeal of a quality sweet treat. His fondness for candies, chocolates, and peanut brittle is well-documented, and his preferred source for these indulgences is See’s Candies. This California-based confectioner, acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1972, is another one of his investment darlings that doubles as a personal daily pleasure.
Buffett is known to keep a constant supply of See’s chocolates and peanut brittle readily available, particularly in his office. He frequently consumes enough of these delectable sweets, alongside Coke, during Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting, to satisfy “the weekly caloric needs of a NFL lineman,” as he jovially noted in his 2015 letter to shareholders. This habit isn’t just about satisfying a sweet tooth; it’s about embracing joy in his daily life.
The connection to See’s Candies further underscores his investment philosophy of buying into businesses he deeply understands and appreciates. For Buffett, these aren’t just sugary snacks; they are products from a company that embodies quality and consistent consumer appeal. His enjoyment of See’s Candies is a sweet example of how his personal consumption habits are inextricably linked to his vast and successful investment empire.
5. **Utz Potato Sticks: The Savory Snack of Choice**While Buffett is widely recognized for his sweet tooth and soda consumption, he also has a distinct preference for savory snacks, with Utz Potato Sticks making a regular appearance in his diet. He has often spoken of his love for these crispy, salty delights. They represent another simple, comfort-food staple that finds its way into the daily routine of one of the world’s most disciplined investors.
These potato sticks are reportedly kept in his office, serving as a readily accessible snack throughout his demanding workday. This choice of snack aligns perfectly with his broader pattern of consuming uncomplicated, familiar products. He doesn’t seek out exotic or trendy health snacks; instead, he sticks to what he enjoys and what he knows.
The presence of Utz Potato Sticks in his daily diet, much like his other food preferences, highlights his practical approach to eating. It’s not about complex nutritional strategies, but about satisfying hunger and taste with items that bring him personal satisfaction. This unpretentious approach to snacking is a hallmark of his overall lifestyle, which prioritizes consistency and personal enjoyment over societal expectations of a billionaire’s diet.
6. **The “Eat Like a Six-Year-Old” Philosophy**Perhaps the most famous and frequently quoted justification for Warren Buffett’s unconventional diet is his “six-year-old” philosophy. When asked about his eating habits, he disarmingly told Fortune in 2015, “I checked the actuarial tables, and the lowest death rate is among 6-year-olds. So I decided to eat like a 6-year-old.” He added, “It’s the safest course I can take.”
This humorous yet profound statement encapsulates his entire approach to health and longevity. For Buffett, life isn’t about rigid adherence to health fads or societal expectations; it’s about finding a path that brings genuine happiness and minimizes stress. He equates the diet of a child—full of simple, often sugary, and comfort foods—with a stress-free existence, free from the worries of complex nutritional planning.
He maintains that this child-like approach has served him well, noting, “I’ve gotten to 92 with the habits of a 6-year-old. So far, it’s working.” This philosophy is a testament to his belief that mental well-being and a positive attitude are far more influential on longevity than strict dietary rules. He rejects the idea of making himself miserable for the sake of perceived health benefits, opting instead for a diet that brings him consistent joy.
7. **His Utter Disgust for “Healthy” Vegetables**One of the most surprising revelations about Warren Buffett’s diet is his profound and outspoken aversion to most “healthy” foods, particularly leafy green vegetables. He doesn’t just tolerate them reluctantly; he actively dislikes them, articulating his displeasure with characteristic candor. This stark contrast to mainstream health advice further cements his reputation as a dietary outlier.
Buffett has provided a detailed list of vegetables he finds unpalatable. “Broccoli, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts look to me like Chinese food crawling around on a plate,” he once declared in “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life.” His disdain extends to “cauliflower [which] almost makes me sick” and “rhubarb, it makes me retch.” Even carrots are eaten “reluctantly,” and he expresses a clear dislike for sweet potatoes.
His idea of a vegetable is far more traditional and starchy, typically confined to “green beans, corn, and peas.” He even stated, “If somebody told me I would live an extra year if I ate nothing but broccoli and a few other things all my life, I would say, ‘Take that year off the end of my life and let me eat what I like to eat.'” This powerful quote underscores his unwavering commitment to enjoying his food, even at the cost of what others perceive as a “healthier” option. For Buffett, the joy derived from his preferred foods far outweighs the potential benefits of those he dislikes.
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8. **The Health Paradox: Genes, Disposition, and Longevity**Warren Buffett’s remarkable longevity and sustained mental acuity, despite a diet that flies in the face of conventional health wisdom, present a fascinating paradox. At 94, running a trillion-dollar company, he challenges the very notion that a diet high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats inevitably leads to early decline. This unusual outcome prompts a deeper look beyond the plate.
Experts often point to the possibility of exceptional genetics as a key factor. Much like some lifelong smokers who defy odds, Buffett may possess “lucky genes” that allow his body to metabolize such meals with minimal harm, a trait believed to be shared by only a small percentage of the population. This genetic lottery could offer a partial explanation for his unusual resilience in the face of dietary choices typically linked to chronic health issues.
Beyond genetics, his overall lifestyle provides critical counterbalances. Buffett famously avoids alcohol and smoking, two major contributors to health decline. He also maintains a low-stress disposition, a crucial element given his belief that “happiness makes an enormous amount of difference in terms of longevity.” His life is filled with purpose and continuous mental engagement, which are also increasingly recognized as vital components of healthy aging, helping to offset the dietary downsides.
9. **Beyond the Plate: Simplicity and Consistency as Life Principles**Buffett’s dietary choices, while idiosyncratic, offer a profound metaphor for his broader approach to business and life, particularly his investment philosophy. His food habits are, above all, simple and unchanging, reflecting a steadfast aversion to complexity and a profound commitment to consistency. This isn’t just about what he eats; it’s about *how* he approaches decisions.
He doesn’t waste mental energy or time contemplating intricate meal plans or chasing the latest dietary fads. Instead, he sticks to a familiar repertoire of foods that bring him joy and satisfaction, day in and day out. This unvarying routine frees up his cognitive resources for more demanding tasks, illustrating a deliberate choice to simplify areas of his life that others often overcomplicate.
This mirrors his renowned value investing strategy. Buffett famously avoids chasing hot tech stocks, engaging in complex financial derivatives, or attempting to time the market. He adheres to a simple, repeatable process: identify fundamentally strong companies, acquire them at a fair price, and hold them for the long term. Just as his daily Coca-Cola habit is consistent, so too are his consistent, long-term contributions and belief in his investment portfolio, which he attributes to compounding into significant wealth.
10. **Eating Your Portfolio: The “Circle of Competence” in Action**Warren Buffett famously advises investors to operate strictly within their “circle of competence”—to only invest in businesses they genuinely understand and can confidently analyze. His diet is a literal and compelling application of this very principle. He doesn’t just invest in companies; he demonstrably consumes their products, embodying shareholder alignment in a truly unique way.
Many of his preferred foods and drinks come from companies either owned by Berkshire Hathaway or in which it holds significant stakes. Coca-Cola, Dairy Queen, and See’s Candies are not merely items on his daily menu; they are businesses he has meticulously studied, analyzed, and in many instances, personally acquired. This direct, tangible connection to his investments reinforces his profound belief in the products and companies he champions.
For the discerning investor, this translates into a powerful lesson: invest in industries you know intimately and trust your own thorough research above fleeting market trends. Whether in technology, healthcare, or consumer goods, focusing on what you truly comprehend reduces inherent risks and significantly increases the probability of making sound, enduring financial decisions. Buffett is, quite literally, eating his own cooking, showcasing unwavering confidence in the quality and appeal of his holdings.
11. **Ignoring the Noise: Buffett’s Unwavering Conviction**For decades, Warren Buffett has been a consistent outlier, politely listening to, and then largely ignoring, the constant barrage of advice from health experts advocating for kale, quinoa, and the dangers of sugar. He remains unswayed by popular opinion, choosing instead to trust his own “happiness” thesis as the guiding principle for his diet. He runs his own race, unperturbed by the conventional wisdom.
This steadfast defiance of health norms parallels his approach to the financial markets. The investment world is often a cacophony of noise—from speculative “can’t-miss” stock tips to panic-inducing headlines and the latest fads. Buffett’s greatest financial triumphs have often come from his ability to filter out this external din, stick to his long-term strategy, and trust his own well-researched judgment, particularly during periods of market volatility when others are succumbing to fear.
His unwavering confidence in his own analysis has allowed him to buy when others are panicking, a strategy that has repeatedly yielded significant returns. The lesson for aspiring investors is clear: learn to discern meaningful signals from superficial noise, cultivate a robust long-term strategy, and possess the conviction to adhere to it, even when popular sentiment suggests otherwise. Buffett’s success is a testament to the power of independent thought.
12. **The Mind-Body Connection: Sleep, Bridge, and Reading**While Buffett’s diet garners significant attention, it’s essential to acknowledge his other daily habits that undoubtedly contribute to his mental sharpness and overall well-being. Unlike many high-powered executives, he prioritizes rest, recognizing its profound impact on cognitive function and longevity. “I like to sleep,” he once stated, emphasizing his commitment to eight hours a night, a habit he has maintained for decades.
Beyond adequate rest, Buffett actively engages his mind with intellectually stimulating activities. He dedicates significant time, reportedly eight hours a week, to playing bridge. He champions it as “the best exercise there is for the brain,” noting the continuous intellectual challenge it presents. Research supports this, indicating that playing cards regularly can help maintain memory sharpness into old age.
Furthermore, Buffett is an avid reader, spending five to six hours a day immersing himself in books and reports. This dedication to continuous learning and reflection is a cornerstone of his success, keeping his mind agile and preventing cognitive decline, as numerous studies suggest. Coupled with a deliberate choice to keep his schedule light and avoid doing things he dislikes, these habits foster a low-stress environment conducive to sustained vitality.
13. **The Ultimate Lesson: Joy, Relationships, and a Life Well-Lived**Ultimately, the enduring fascination with Warren Buffett’s lifestyle transcends his diet; it lies in the philosophical underpinnings of his approach to happiness and longevity. He champions the idea that genuine joy, a positive mental attitude, and low stress are far more influential on a long and fulfilling life than strict dietary dogma. “I think happiness makes an enormous amount of difference in terms of longevity,” he asserts, finding his happiness in simple pleasures.
His perspective extends to the profound importance of human connection. Buffett believes that true success is measured by the number of people who genuinely love you, echoing findings from extensive longitudinal studies, such as Harvard’s 85-year research, which identifies loving relationships as the biggest contributor to a longer, happier life. Practicing gratitude and maintaining strong personal bonds are, for him, integral to a life well-lived.
While Buffett’s diet is undeniably an anomaly—a testament to unique genetics and a peculiar disposition—the transferable wisdom for the average person lies not in emulating his menu, but in adopting his mental models. The true “secret” of the Oracle of Omaha is to live authentically, find joy in your daily choices, prioritize consistency and simplicity in your financial journey, and cultivate a life rich in purpose and meaningful relationships. His paradoxical diet serves as a powerful reminder that while we should strive for balance in our physical health, the pursuit of happiness and personal well-being are paramount.
As Buffett himself wisely advises, “Be yourself.” The ultimate lesson is to savor the present and do what truly makes you happy, for it is this inner contentment, more than any specific food, that may indeed hold the keys to a brilliant mind and a long, impactful life.
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