Theron Mohamed
·4 min read
Warren Buffett may be a billionaire businessman in his 90s, but he eats like a child.
The investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO loves McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Dairy Queen.
Buffett says his indulgent diet has been key to his happiness and long lifespan.
Warren Buffett may be 92 and one of the richest people on the planet, but he still has a child's taste for fast food, sugary sodas, and sweet treats.
The famed investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO counts burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream among his favorite foods. He munches on McDonald's for breakfast, guzzles five cans of co*ke every day, and demolishes cookies and chocolates.
Fittingly, Berkshire owns See's Candies and Dairy Queen, while Coca-Cola and Kraft Heinz are among the largest holdings in its $300 billion stock portfolio.
Buffett has defended his eating habits — and voiced his disgust at vegetables and other healthy options — during interviews, in his yearly letters to shareholders, and at Berkshire's annual meetings.
Here are Buffett's 11 best quotes about his diet, lightly edited for length and clarity:
1. "I've gotten to 92 with the habits of a 6-year-old. So far, it's working. Charlie's 99 and he doesn't eat any better than I do. I found everything I like to eat by the time I was six. Why should I fool around with all these other foods? 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.'" (CNBC)
2. "I think happiness makes an enormous amount of difference in terms of longevity. And I'm happier when I'm drinking co*ke or eating hot fudge sundaes or hot dogs." (CNBC)
3. "I'm one-quarter Coca-Cola. If I eat 2,700 calories a day, a quarter of that is Coca-Cola. I drink at least five 12-ounce servings. I do it every day. I have three co*kes during the day and two at night." (Fortune)
4. "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. It's the safest course I can take." (Fortune)
5."I follow a very simple rule when it comes to food. If a three-year-old doesn't eat it, I don't eat it." ("The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life")
6. "Broccoli, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts look to me like Chinese food crawling around on a plate. Cauliflower almost makes me sick. I eat carrots reluctantly. I don't like sweet potatoes. I don't even want to be close to a rhubarb, it makes me retch. My idea of a vegetable is green beans, corn, and peas. I like spaghetti and grilled cheese sandwiches. I'll eat meat loaf but wouldn't order it in a restaurant." ("The Snowball")
7. "During the meeting, Charlie and I will each consume enough co*ke, See's fudge and See's peanut brittle to satisfy the weekly caloric needs of a NFL lineman. Long ago we discovered a fundamental truth: There's nothing like eating carrots and broccoli when you're really hungry – and want to stay that way." (2015 letter)
8. "There's a lot to be said about being happy with what you're doing. If I'd been eating broccoli and Brussels sprouts all my life, I don't think I'd live as long. I would approach every meal thinking it's like going to jail or something." (2015 meeting)
9. "When I compare drinking Coca-Cola to something that somebody would sell me at Whole Foods — I don't see smiles on the faces of people at Whole Foods." (2015 meeting)
10. "I like eating the same thing over and over and over again. I could eat a ham sandwich every day for 50 days in a row for breakfast." ("The Snowball")
11. "I don't eat any Chinese food. If necessary, serve me rice and I'll just move it around on my plate, and I'll go back to my room afterward and eat peanuts." ("The Snowball") (This was Buffett's response when Bill and Melinda Gates asked what he liked to eat ahead of a group vacation to China. Buffett made sure to speak up after suffering through a disastrous sushi dinner a few years earlier, and was served hamburgers, french fries and Cherry co*ke throughout the trip.)
Read the original article on Business Insider
As an expert in nutrition and dietary habits, I can provide valuable insights into Warren Buffett's unconventional eating habits and shed light on the concepts mentioned in the article. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of nutritional science, lifestyle factors affecting longevity, and the psychology of food preferences. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts in the article:
-
Warren Buffett's Diet Preferences:
- Buffett's diet primarily consists of fast food, sugary sodas, and sweet treats.
- Specific favorites include McDonald's, Coca-Cola, hot fudge sundaes, hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, cookies, and chocolates.
-
Berkshire Hathaway Holdings:
- Berkshire Hathaway, under Buffett's leadership, owns See's Candies and Dairy Queen, aligning with his preference for sweets and ice cream.
- Major holdings in Berkshire's stock portfolio include Coca-Cola and Kraft Heinz, reflecting Buffett's affinity for these brands.
-
Daily Consumption Patterns:
- Buffett's daily intake includes five cans of Coca-Cola, contributing to a significant portion of his daily caloric intake.
- He follows a consistent pattern, consuming three co*kes during the day and two at night.
-
Philosophy on Eating and Longevity:
- Buffett attributes his longevity and happiness to his dietary habits, comparing his approach to that of a 6-year-old.
- He expresses a belief that happiness has a positive impact on longevity, and he feels happier when consuming foods he enjoys.
-
Disdain for Vegetables:
- Buffett openly expresses his dislike for vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and rhubarb.
- His food philosophy revolves around simplicity, stating that if a three-year-old wouldn't eat it, he doesn't eat it.
-
Repetition and Happiness:
- Buffett mentions a preference for eating the same thing repeatedly, highlighting his contentment with routine and familiar foods.
- He emphasizes the importance of being happy with one's food choices and suggests that he wouldn't live as long if he followed a diet of less enjoyable foods.
-
Social Aspects of Eating:
- Buffett and his business partner, Charlie Munger, share a fondness for consuming co*ke, See's fudge, and See's peanut brittle during meetings, emphasizing the social and enjoyable aspects of their shared meals.
-
Comparison to Healthy Alternatives:
- Buffett compares the joy of drinking Coca-Cola to the lack of smiles he perceives in people at Whole Foods, highlighting his preference for indulgent choices over healthier alternatives.
These concepts provide a comprehensive understanding of Warren Buffett's dietary choices, shedding light on his philosophy, preferences, and the role of food in his life.
