Eating Like Meghan Markle: A Four-Day Diet Experiment Leaves Journalist Hungry
I recently embarked on a culinary adventure, attempting to eat like Meghan Markle for four days. Based on her public statements and recipes, I constructed a menu of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks that the Duchess of Sussex reportedly enjoys. I anticipated delicious, well-rounded meals adorned with edible flowers and perhaps a jar of her famous jam. The reality, however, was far less satisfying.
The Markle Diet Plan
Meghan Markle describes herself as a flexitarian, primarily consuming plant-based foods during the week with occasional meat, fish, or dairy on weekends. She emphasizes clean, natural, and non-processed foods. Using interviews and her former blog, The Tig, I designed a diet that included her favorite dishes.
Breakfast: Markle starts her day with warm water and lemon, followed by steel-cut oats with almond or soy milk, banana, and agave syrup. I found the lemon routine messy and the oatmeal pleasant but bland by day four, providing only two hours of satiety.
Lunch: A salad with protein, such as quinoa, greens, red pepper, cashews, and chicken breast or ham, decorated with flaxseeds and flowers. This was the best meal of the day, offering a brief respite from hunger.
Snacks and Drinks: Markle enjoys green juice in the afternoon, made from apple, kale, spinach, lemon, and ginger, which became increasingly unappealing. She also snacks on apple with peanut butter or French fries, a welcome treat during the experiment.
Dinner: Pasta dishes like cacio e pepe or zucchini Bolognese, often accompanied by a glass of red wine, which I included daily.
The Physical Toll
By day two, hunger became constant. On day three, dizziness set in during short walks, leading me to rebelliously eat a Cadbury's creme egg. Day four brought exhaustion. The diet, as I interpreted it, lacked sufficient protein, with only 67 grams daily versus the recommended 103-138 grams for my size. Calorie intake was 1,680 per day, below the 2,000-2,500 recommended.
Texas-based dietitian Amy Goodson noted the diet was "very low in calories and extremely low in protein," leading to energy crashes and hunger. She suggested adding protein powder to green juice and incorporating salmon, chicken, or tofu into meals.
Expert Analysis
Goodson highlighted that inadequate protein can hinder muscle maintenance and blood sugar stability. She praised Markle's use of edible violas for their nutrients but emphasized the need for balanced meals. The diet's timing also posed issues, with less than half of daily calories consumed by 2 PM.
While the diet was affordable at $58 for four days, it may not suit everyone, especially those with active lifestyles. Markle, in her 40s and a mother of two, likely has different nutritional needs compared to a younger, physically active individual.
In conclusion, eating like Meghan Markle left me hungry, lethargic, and dreaming of chocolate cake. It underscores the importance of personalized nutrition over celebrity-inspired diets.
