Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was a musical genius whose eccentricities extended far beyond the stage. One of the lesser-known aspects of his enigmatic life was his unique relationship with food—a mix of health consciousness, personal taste quirks, and the demands of a grueling performance schedule. Former personal chef Mani Niall, who worked with Jackson during the Thriller era and Victory Tour, offers rare insight into the superstar’s dietary world.

Vegetarian… But Not a Fan of Vegetables

Jackson embraced vegetarianism in the late 1970s, influenced by Paul and Linda McCartney. However, as Niall revealed, he was “a vegetarian who didn’t like vegetables.” This paradox forced his chefs to get creative, disguising vegetables in dishes that Jackson would enjoy. Favorites included shiitake mushroom and Japanese eggplant pizza, cleverly hiding the greens in ways that satisfied nutritional needs while appealing to his palate.

He also avoided staples like pasta and had a major sweet tooth—but he skipped refined sugar and chocolate. Instead, desserts like pecan cookies sweetened with maple syrup (nicknamed “ookies” by his bodyguard) and banana cream pie became regular indulgences, aligning with his dietary restrictions without compromising flavor.

Fueling a High-Energy Lifestyle

Jackson’s eating habits were shaped by his relentless work ethic. Niall recalled that he could “go, go, go for hours without eating, and then be famished,” making meal timing unpredictable. During the 1984 Victory Tour, Jackson’s chefs prepared nutrient-dense dishes to sustain his energy, including spicy smoked red chile enchiladas, grilled tofu shish kebabs with couscous and Moroccan sauce, and ginger-miso salads—all hits with the pop icon.

Despite his vegetarian leanings, Jackson occasionally indulged in comfort foods like Kentucky Fried Chicken, removing the skin to keep it “organic.” These “cheat weekends” balanced his disciplined eating with nostalgic favorites from his childhood.

Spirituality and Holistic Health

Jackson’s dietary choices were also influenced by his holistic health beliefs. A frequent patron of Los Angeles’ Sikh-run Golden Temple Restaurant, he employed Sikh chefs for their expertise in nutritious vegetarian cooking. Jackson believed in “God’s medicine”—natural foods and herbs—as superior to processed options, and he practiced Sunday fasting, consuming only juices to “flush out the system” both physically and spiritually.

His early Jehovah’s Witness upbringing also shaped his approach to food. Until leaving the faith in 1987, he avoided birthday celebrations and traditional treats like cake, emphasizing discipline over indulgence.

Challenges and Health Concerns

As Jackson’s career progressed, his eating habits raised concerns. By 2009, friends and collaborators noted that he often needed reminders to eat, with someone even tasked to assist with cutting his food. During the Thriller era, he reportedly weighed as little as 120 pounds, sparking speculation about anorexia or body dysmorphic tendencies. In a 2005 interview with Jesse Jackson, he admitted to going “weeks without eating” when stressed, reflecting both his perfectionism and need for control.

Despite his personal struggles, Jackson prioritized nutritious meals for his children, Prince, Paris, and Blanket. Later chef Kai Chase described preparing spinach salads, grilled chicken, and seared ahi tuna for family meals, which Jackson shared with his children—even if he himself ate sparingly.

A Complex Relationship With Food

Michael Jackson’s eating habits were as multifaceted as his persona: part health-conscious discipline, part childlike cravings, and part quirky personal preference. From disguising vegetables to occasional KFC indulgences, and from fasting for spiritual reasons to meticulously preparing meals for his family, Jackson’s dietary life was an extension of the perfectionism, creativity, and eccentricity that defined him as an artist and a father.

Even behind the scenes, the King of Pop’s relationship with food tells a story of balance—between control and indulgence, nutrition and pleasure, self-care and devotion to others—a lesser-known, but no less fascinating, facet of a musical legend.