Warren Buffett dietary habits

Warren Buffett, the 96-year-old board member of Berkshire Hathaway, has drawn attention for his unconventional dietary choices. He reportedly maintains a diet that includes consuming up to five Coca-Colas a day and eating McDonald's hamburgers.

Investor Bill Ackman shared an anecdote regarding Buffett’s beverage preferences during an episode of the Equity Mates Investing podcast. Ackman recalled a dinner at his home several years ago where, when offered water or sparkling water, Buffett declined and requested Cherry Coke instead. Ackman claimed Buffett once stated, “Bill, I haven’t had water in 48 years.”

Buffett has previously joked that he is “one quarter Coca-Cola” because the beverage constitutes approximately 25 percent of his daily caloric intake. His preference for soft drinks is well-documented: in 1986, he announced a switch from Pepsi to Cherry Coke, which subsequently became the official drink of his shareholder meetings. This preference aligns with Berkshire Hathaway’s significant investment in Coca-Cola, a stake held since the mid-1990s. An initial investment of approximately $1.3 billion has grown to an estimated value of $28 billion.

Despite these habits, Buffett attributes his health and ability to maintain a rigorous work pace to sleeping eight hours, staying active, and managing stress. He has noted that his medical tests remain excellent. It is noted that Ackman’s anecdote is an undated recollection of a past conversation and may not reflect Buffett’s current dietary habits.