The 'Transformative' Way Ivanka Trump Changed Her Eating Habits

Ivanka Trump doesn't live or work in Washington, DC, anymore. Instead, she lives with her family in Miami, far from politics. Yet she's still very visible on social media and in the press for her entrepreneurial pastimes, philanthropic ventures, and — especially lately — the way she fuels her body.

Indeed, Trump's eating habits have changed based on insider dietary habits she shared in the past. In a 2014 interview for Harper's Bazaar, she mentioned occasionally eating a cheese quesadilla and strawberry ice cream for lunch when she worked in Trump Tower in New York. Now, though, she's raving about different nutrients and foods that she credits for giving her a newfound energy and physique.

Topping her list of dietary must-haves is protein. In late 2024, Trump shared on her Instagram account that she eats 30 to 50 grams of protein in each meal. That's a lot of protein for anyone to eat, especially a woman. The weight of an average woman in the United States is 170 pounds (77 kilograms); the American Heart Association recommends eating 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. (Math help: 77 times 0.8 is 61.) This means Trump is eating more protein than needed. After all, if several sources are correct, Trump weighs much less than 170 pounds. Still, she mentioned that it's having a "transformative" effect and seems pleased with her overall results.

Is all that protein honestly transformative? Or is too much protein simply too much? It depends. Protein is a critical building block for the body, and it can trigger weight loss because it helps stave off hunger. As such, it seems to be a proven method to control weight, as well as to redistribute muscle.

On the other hand, getting too much protein may be stressful for the body. Depending upon the type of high-protein diet, some individuals may experience kidney issues from too much protein intake. And others may find that they're not varying the foods they eat because they're eating mostly protein.

But what does science say? A 2020 review in the Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome shows that it's likely safe and effective for individuals who want to lose weight to eat high-protein meals. The authors noted that high-protein diets affect body composition, which would explain Trump's mention of a "transformative" effect. However, they also mentioned that the long-term efficacy and sustainability of protein diets lasting longer than a year haven't been investigated.

There's little reason to believe that Trump has gone high-protein without being conscientious. In 2016, she explained (via Eat This, Not That!) that her general position on healthy eating is to be sure that "it's about making the right choices." This brings us to another one of her choices: staying hydrated by drinking water.

Interestingly, her water isn't just served up plain. Trump told My Morning Routine that she starts her day with a glass of water with lemon in it. Including lemon in water adds minimal calories but provides around 21% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, as well as small amounts of folate and potassium.

But Trump doesn't stop with water. She incorporates a cup of coffee into her morning beverage lineup, too (via Instagram). That's okay, because in moderation, coffee can be advantageous since it's filled with antioxidants and other inflammation-reducing, heart-healthy, generally protective substances.

Trump also told the hosts of The Skinny Confidential that she drinks creatine (a naturally occurring compound used to boost muscle growth) mixed with water and amino acids for her breakfast. Since creatine can be good for brain health and may improve one's energy levels, it may be yet another of the reasons Trump feels transformed.