Michael Jackson’s life was filled with extraordinary talent, fame, and tragedy. But one often overlooked aspect of his story is his complex and unusual relationship with food. From a young age, Michael developed strict dietary restrictions and food taboos that only grew stricter as he got older. His eating habits were influenced by a desire for control, body image issues, and health concerns – both real and perceived.

Childhood Food Restrictions

Michael’s strict diet began in his childhood. As the star of the Jackson 5, he was put on a strict diet by his father Joe to maintain a slim physique for performances. Michael claimed Joe would only allow him to eat chicken, salad, and potatoes. He was not allowed to eat sweets, fast food, or junk food.

This restrictive diet in his formative years likely contributed to Michael developing food anxieties and obsessions. He would count calories meticulously and weigh himself multiple times per day. His father’s control over his diet also mirrored the control he exerted over many other aspects of Michael’s life.

Avoidance of Carbohydrates and Sugar

As Michael got older, he developed an aversion to carbohydrates and sugar. He claimed that eating bread or pasta would make him gain 10 pounds overnight. In reality, he had a high-protein, low-carb diet for much of his adult life.

Michael avoided simple carbohydrates like white rice, potatoes, and pasta. He would only eat whole grain breads and crackers. He limited his fruit intake to berries and melons. He completely avoided desserts, sweets, and most drinks besides water or sugar-free beverages.

This extreme low-carb approach was likely an attempt to maintain his slim physique. But it also indicates body image issues and a preoccupation with weight and calories that developed at a young age.

Strict Vegan and Vegetarian Diet

For much of the 1980s and 1990s, Michael followed a strict vegan or vegetarian diet. He claimed that eating meat made him feel “heavy” and “sluggish.” He believed a plant-based diet gave him more energy for performing.

Michael’s vegetarian diet consisted mostly of vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. He ate lentil soup, bean burritos, and veggie stir fries. He would sometimes indulge in vegan ice cream or nondairy cheese. But he largely avoided processed or packaged vegan foods.

Michael’s switch to a plant-based diet was also influenced by his spiritual beliefs. He was drawn to Eastern philosophies that emphasized ahimsa or nonviolence towards animals. For Michael, a vegetarian diet was part of living more consciously and compassionately.

Obsession With Vitamins and Supplements

Michael had an obsession with vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. He claimed that supplements gave him more energy and helped him maintain his youthful appearance.

Michael took up to 40 different supplements per day including large doses of vitamins A, B, C, and E. He consumed mineral supplements like zinc and magnesium. He took herbal remedies like echinacea, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba.

However, many of the supplements Michael took had no proven health benefits and could be dangerous at high doses. His obsession indicates he may have had body dysmorphia and was constantly searching for ways to maintain his slim physique and youthful looks.

Issues With Food During Later Life

In his later life, Michael’s food issues became more extreme. He claimed to survive on only juice for months at a time. He would reportedly drink up to 20 bottles of juice per day, getting most of his calories from fruit and vegetable blends.

Michael’s juice fasts and other extreme dieting indicate that his body image issues and need for control intensified with age. The stress of his legal troubles and financial problems likely exacerbated his unhealthy relationship with food.

In the end, Michael’s complex and often unhealthy relationship with food was shaped by a multitude of factors from his strict childhood diet to his spiritual beliefs to deep-rooted body image issues. But it undoubtedly had a major impact on his health, wellbeing and ability to find joy in the simple pleasure of eating.