Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors, is no stranger to making headlines. Recently, at 94, he shocked the financial world by selling half of his Apple shares, a move that netted him over $500 million. But it’s not just his financial decisions that make him fascinating—it’s his lifestyle, particularly his unusual diet, that has doctors scratching their heads. For someone his age, he’s still incredibly active, both professionally and personally, and yet his eating habits are the polar opposite of what many health experts would recommend.
Warren Buffett’s Influence on Apple and His Investment Decisions
Buffett is not just a businessman—he’s a key figure in Apple’s success. Through his investment firm, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has become one of Apple’s largest shareholders, with his stake valued at a staggering $174.3 billion. Even more impressive is his long-term approach to investing. As he’s famously said, “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” This philosophy has led him to make decisions that have shaped the financial landscape, including his Apple investment, which has been a major driver of his wealth.
But Buffett’s appetite for investments is just as diverse as his diet. For example, he recently bought over a million shares in Domino’s Pizza, a move that sent the pizza chain’s stock up by nearly 8% in a matter of hours. However, it’s not his investments in tech or pizza chains that are the most intriguing. Instead, it’s what Buffett consumes every day that has caught the attention of many.
Coca-Cola and McDonald’s: A Daily Routine That Defies Expectations
Buffett has never shied away from discussing his love for certain foods, and it’s clear that his eating habits are nothing short of unconventional for someone of his age. He’s known for drinking five cans of Coca-Cola every day, each packed with sugar. “I’ve consulted statistical charts and found that six-year-olds have the lowest mortality rate, so I decided to eat like one,” Buffett humorously explains. His breakfast routine is just as surprising—he’s been eating the same meal at McDonald’s for 54 years. The quirky part? He adjusts his order based on the performance of the stock market. “When stocks go down, I order the $2.95 breakfast. When they go up, I get the $3.17 breakfast,” he shares. This has led to over 19,000 McDonald’s breakfasts, adding up to a daily intake of 252 grams of sugar and 700 calories just from the Coca-Cola alone.
What’s even more astonishing than the amount of fast food he consumes is his overall health. Despite following a diet that seems far from ideal, Buffett reads 500 pages a day, works for 12 hours daily, and his blood tests are reportedly flawless. His secret? “It’s not the food,” Buffett insists. “I sleep eight hours. No exceptions. No early meetings, no late dinners. Sleep is more important than food. Health is about loving your work, getting good sleep, and keeping stress at bay.”
A Deeper Look at Buffett’s Philosophy on Health
While many would consider a diet of Coca-Cola and fast food unhealthy, Buffett’s life raises important questions about the true factors contributing to longevity. In today’s world, where diets full of superfoods and protein-heavy meals dominate health conversations, Buffett suggests that stress management and quality sleep are just as, if not more, important than what we eat. “Stress kills more than a hamburger,” he famously says. In a decade obsessed with perfecting diets, perhaps we’re overlooking crucial aspects of health that could matter more in the long run.
Buffett’s unwavering belief in the importance of sleep has likely played a role in his longevity. He has managed to run a global empire while maintaining a balanced lifestyle, prioritizing rest over relentless work. It’s a reminder that longevity might not be about depriving ourselves of indulgences but about balancing life, work, and well-being.
In the end, Warren Buffett’s unusual diet might not be the recommended path for everyone, but his philosophy on life—focused on maintaining a healthy mindset, good sleep, and managing stress—could hold more truth than we might think. Between hamburgers and Coca-Cola, he’s certainly shown that sometimes the keys to a long, successful life are simpler than we realize.