How Ellen DeGeneres Followed a Strict Vegan Diet and What Made Her Quit After Eight Years
Ellen DeGeneres is well known for the hilarious pranks she pulls off on her unsuspecting celebrity guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
But what most people don’t know about the 60-year-old comedian and television host is that she became a strict vegan for eight years after watching a documentary which showed the cruel ways animals are killed for food.
Journey to Veganism
Raised between the states of Texas and New Orleans, DeGeneres developed an appetite for red beans and rice with sausage as well as delicious steaks while growing up. But she decided to give up eating her favorite dishes and switched to a plant-based diet in 2008.
This wasn’t her first attempt at cutting out meat from her diet though. She initially tried vegetarianism for about eight months after reading John Robbins’ book, “Diet for a New America”. She would only fully commit to a vegan diet after watching “Earthlings”, a documentary on animal rights.
The transition was not easy for DeGeneres, who resorted to a limited diet of kale salad and quinoa, in the beginning. Fortunately, she had wife, Portia de Rossi, as a support system during their shift to a vegan diet.
Having author and vegan chef, Roberto Martin, by their side was also a relief. Martin helped DeGeneres come up with healthy and delicious vegan recipes. He even made a vegan version of her favorite dish, red beans, and rice. Martin also introduced the couple to staples like smoked tempeh, veggie patties, and tofu to give their meals variety.
Both vegetarians and vegans turn to meat substitutes like tofu, tempeh, and even mushrooms to recreate dishes which originally use animal meat.
Vegan Wedding
Showing commitment to their new lifestyle, the couple even made sure that their wedding menu was vegan. Their intimate wedding’s 19 guests were treated to a meal of “beef” sliders and spring rolls especially prepared by their chef, David Silberkleit.
The couple also chose a vegan red velvet cake from Sweet Lady Jane as their wedding cake.
The then-newlyweds, later on, made the news once again when they adopted two cows, Madonna and Holy, from an animal sanctuary which works to connect troubled and disadvantaged kids with rescue farm animals.
Shifting Away
After eight years as a vegan, DeGeneres dropped the bomb that she has started eating fish and poultry again in 2016.
The television host, who’s also known for voicing the forgetful fish Dory in the “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” animated movies, admitted that she found it difficult to maintain her vegan diet especially while eating out. Still, she praised her former vegan lifestyle for keeping her in top shape all those years.
This might have been one of the reasons why she and De Rossi have decided to team up with other entertainment industry personalities to open a vegan restaurant in the San Fernando Valley are of Los Angeles. The team also includes Tal Ronnen, who is Oprah Winfrey’s favorite vegan chef.
More in Diet
-
`
Does the 28-Day Wall Pilates Challenge Really Deliver?
TikTok has become a hotbed for fitness trends, with new workouts being uploaded almost daily. From the 12-3-30 workout to the...
November 24, 2023 -
`
Swimming in Cold Water for Improved Health: How to Do It
As temperatures plummet and waters turn frigid, some individuals embrace the icy plunge for a revitalizing and thrilling experience—a cold-water swim...
November 14, 2023 -
`
Jennifer Aniston’s Four-Step Guide to Staying Fabulously Fit
Hollywood’s darling Jennifer Aniston has been enchanting audiences since her days on “Friends,” and she’s showing no signs of slowing down,...
November 7, 2023 -
`
Salma Hayek’s Secrets to Her Youthful Look Even in Her 50s
When you think of Hollywood heavyweights, it is hard to miss the dazzling and ever-youthful Salma Hayek. Famous for her intense...
November 5, 2023 -
`
The Secret to Katy Perry’s Impressive Net Worth
Katy Perry, a name synonymous with pop music extravagance, has seen her net worth soar in recent years. Her journey from...
October 26, 2023 -
`
Best Homemade Pre and Post Workout Drinks for Energy
Exercise is a fundamental component of a healthy lifestyle, and whether you’re hitting the gym, running, or practicing yoga, fueling your...
October 22, 2023 -
`
Shaquille O’Neal Details 55-Pound Weight Loss
Former NBA powerhouse Shaquille O’Neal is making headlines, not for his slam dunks or towering presence on the court, but for...
October 10, 2023 -
`
The Unexpected Food Journey of Michelle Obama
Sunrise often paints a picture of steaming mugs and plates filled with breakfast delights. However, not everyone relishes this early meal,...
October 8, 2023 -
`
Everything You Need to Know About the Pegan Diet
Nowadays, there are a lot of diets that people are trying to follow in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. One...
September 28, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login