Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was famously mysterious—not only in his music and performances but also in his eating habits. Behind the scenes, his diet was a curious mix of contradictions, eccentricities, and strict personal rules.

Mani Niall, Jackson’s first personal chef from 1982 to 1985, recently revealed rare insights into the superstar’s quirky culinary preferences, offering a glimpse into a man whose sweet tooth came with one surprising caveat.

A Vegetarian Who Didn’t Like Vegetables

Niall began working with Jackson just before the Thriller album exploded worldwide. During the grueling Victory Tour in 1984, he noticed something unusual: Michael was a vegetarian who hated most vegetables. “He was a vegetarian who didn’t like vegetables,” Niall told People. This paradox meant Niall had to become a culinary magician, disguising veggies like shiitake mushrooms and Japanese eggplant in beloved dishes such as pizza to sneak nutrients into Michael’s diet unnoticed.

Sweet Tooth with a Twist

While Jackson adored sweets, he famously avoided sugar and disliked chocolate—a rarity for someone with such a sweet tooth. To satisfy his cravings without breaking his rules, Niall crafted treats like pecan cookies sweetened with maple syrup, affectionately nicknamed “ookies” by Jackson’s bodyguard. Banana cream pie was another favorite dessert. These carefully tailored sweets allowed Jackson to indulge without compromising his unusual dietary guidelines.

The KFC Contradiction

Despite his mostly vegetarian lifestyle, Jackson had a soft spot for Kentucky Fried Chicken. At least once a month, he would indulge in KFC, often removing the skin to stay aligned with his “organic” preferences. Magic Johnson recalled at Jackson’s 2009 funeral how Michael once chose a bucket of KFC over a healthier grilled chicken option, showing his willingness to embrace guilty pleasures despite his otherwise disciplined diet.

Drinks and Dietary Influences

Jackson’s beverage choices were as specific as his food. He favored mineral waters like Evian and Perrier, fresh orange and carrot juices, fruit smoothies, and almond milk. During performances, he supplemented hydration with Gatorade. His dietary habits were shaped by his upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, which forbade birthday celebrations—and thus birthday cakes—alongside health concerns and intense work schedules.

Challenges Behind the Scenes

Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, noted that despite employing a full-time chef, he often ate minimally and erratically. At times, his diet consisted mainly of juices and trail mix to maintain energy, especially during the This Is It rehearsals in 2009. Concert promoter Randy Phillips even hired someone specifically to remind Michael to eat.

A Culinary Legacy

Mani Niall’s role was more than just cooking; he was a creative partner who crafted meals tailored to the King of Pop’s unique tastes, even cooking for Paul and Linda McCartney at Michael’s request. In 2015, Sweet Bar Bakery in Oakland honored Michael with a commemorative menu featuring his favorites like eggplant pizza and maple-sweetened “ookies”—a tribute to the man who often went without birthday cakes due to his faith.

Michael Jackson’s eating habits, filled with contradictions—a vegetarian who hated vegetables, a sweet tooth that avoided sugar, and a disciplined yet indulgent eater—mirror the complexities of the man behind the music. As Niall said, “You are not alone,” recalling Michael’s warmth and the challenge of feeding a superstar whose hunger for music far outweighed his appetite for food.

In the end, Jackson’s culinary quirks form a fascinating part of his legacy, as distinctive and memorable as the hits that defined his career.