Victoria Beckham Follows An Ultra-Strict Diet That Leaves Little Room For Variety

According to some nutrition experts, an overly strict diet can lead to feelings of deprivation, which may make it difficult to consistently follow healthier eating habits. But limiting herself to narrow food choices has apparently worked for more than two decades for Victoria Beckham. As her husband, David Beckham, noted on the River Table Cafe podcast, "I'm married to someone that has eaten the same thing for the last 25 years."

(Read about how eating the same foods every day has an unexpected effect on your sleep.)

The Spice Girl-turned-designer has openly shared her restrictive diet regimen over the years, and has admitted that she doesn't stray much from it. And though her diet might not be everyone's cup of tea, it does prioritize certain key nutrients. 

For instance, before Beckham's 5:30 a.m. workout, she enjoys three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ACV), warm water with lemon, and coffee, she told Net-a-Porter. In studies, ACV has shown promise to help soothe the gut, as well as assist with appetite control. Beckham also drinks a smoothie packed with greens, coconut water, fruit, and chia seeds. The fat in chia seeds and the fiber in greens like spinach can help tame hunger.

Beckham's wakeup routine is missing whole grains, a common theme permeating her diet. Generally speaking, her meals and snacks don't include many carbohydrates, though she claims she eats them. In fact, lunch and dinner generally include some steamed fish and vegetables. If she wants a little nosh between meals, she may opt for avocado on sprouted wheat toast or nuts. And a bit of red wine isn't out of the question when she dines with her husband at restaurants. But neither sprouted bread nor wine seems to be a regular indulgence.

On the whole, though, Beckham has centered her eating on protein, vegetables, few fruits (noting that she feels bloated after eating fruit sometimes), and some heart-healthy fats. She credits this rinse-and-repeat diet for giving her energy and glowing skin.

If Beckham's ultra-strict diet sounds familiar, you may have looked at the Department of Agriculture's updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines have received quite a bit of criticism because proteins, vegetables, and fats now take up the bulk of recommended foods, while carbohydrates sit at the bottom.

It's worth mentioning that Beckham has a chronic hormonal imbalance affecting the ovaries called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A challenging aspect of PCOS is that it can flare up suddenly. One way to tame PCOS and its unpredictable symptoms is by limiting foods that might cause inflammation, including processed items and sugars.

"Research shows that people with PCOS show evidence of all-over inflammation, which is associated with heart disease and other illness[es]," explained clinical dietitian Amanda Stathos (via Johns Hopkins Medicine). Strathos also mentioned the usefulness of the Mediterranean diet for individuals with PCOS who want to decrease their inflammation. Beckham's style of eating fits into the Mediterranean diet aesthetic, except for her aversion to using oils and few carbohydrates. (If you're on the Mediterranean diet, you should stick to these foods.)

Is Beckham's style of eating the right choice for you? A Hello Magazine writer tried the diet for a week; she said it left her feeling hungry at night until she added some rice or potatoes into the mix to round out the carbohydrates. Still, it might work as a basis for a change if you're trying to move toward more of a Mediterranean diet.