Victoria Beckham just opened up about her diet and wellness routine in a new interview, and she made it clear that she doesn’t care what other people think.
“I’m very disciplined with the way that I eat, the way that I work out, and the way I work,” the designer and former Spice Girl told Grazia. “That’s just who I am.”
Victoria said that she likes to have a drink every now and then, too.
“I’m not going to be one of these, ‘Ah, there are too many calories in a glass of wine’ types,” she said. “Whatever. Life’s too short. Let’s have a nice time.”
Victoria also said that she’s less concerned now about what other people think of her.
“You just become more accepting, don’t you?” she said. “This is how I look. I’m going to make the best of it, work hard at it.”
Five months ago, Victoria’s husband David Beckham said on an episode of the Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast that his wife has “eaten the same thing for the last 25 years.”
“Since I met her, she only eats grilled fish [and] steamed vegetables,” he said. “She will very rarely deviate from that.”
David said Victoria deviated slightly from her go-to when she was pregnant with their daughter, Harper. “The only time she’s probably ever shared something that’s been on my plate was actually when she was pregnant with Harper and it was the most amazing thing,” he said. “It was one of my favorite evenings.”
Victoria previously told The Telegraph that she eats four avocados a day for her skin, and she shared on her Instagram Stories that she takes a daily shot of apple cider vinegar “first thing when I wake up,” per Vogue.
But Victoria hinted that her strict diet comes from being heavily criticized for her weight after having her son Brooklyn in 1999. “My first outing was on the front page of the newspaper, with arrows pointing to where I needed to lose weight,” she told Grazia. “Those things can affect how you feel and conduct yourself.”
On a basic level, this is healthy diet.
“The way I look at this as a dietitian is that she eats very healthy foods—that is definitely true,” says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety.
Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, agrees. “Grilled fish is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health,” he says. “Steamed vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber—all essential for overall health.”
The avocados Victoria eats “are high in healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins, contributing to skin health and satiety,” Keatley says.
But dietitians have concerns about the diet’s restrictive nature.
Victoria says this diet works for her—and more power to her for that. But dietitians are concerned about other people trying to mimic it.
“This diet is very limited,” Cording points out. “That can lead to restrictive thoughts and feelings around food.” Keri Gans, R.D.N., author of The Small Change Diet, is also concerned about how tightly Victoria regulates her diet. “It’s a diet that consists of healthy foods, but for most people, it is not a healthy way of eating,” she says. “Her diet is overly restrictive, and for many individuals, it could be a sign of disordered eating.”
Keatley also says that there are “concerning aspects” about Victoria’s eating plan. “While apple cider vinegar is popular in wellness circles, excessive consumption can erode tooth enamel and irritate the stomach lining,” he says.
Eating three to four avocados a day “adds significant calories and fats, which might not be necessary or beneficial for everyone,” Keatley says. Gans also has concerns about the avocados. “Simply consuming three to four avocados a day alone could be a lot of fat for one’s body to break down,” she says. “One medium avocado alone has 30 grams of fat. Sixty grams of fat would be approximately the amount a person should consume on an 1800-calorie diet.”
Eating the same foods every day also raises the risk of nutrient deficiencies, Keatley says. “A lack of variety in the diet might lead to deficiencies in certain nutrients not provided by fish, vegetables, and avocados,” Keatley explains. “Those would include B12, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin K2, and iodine.”
But Keatley also stresses that the right diet varies from person to person. “What works for one person might not be suitable for another, especially without considering factors like age, gender, activity level, and health conditions,” he says.
If you’re trying to hammer out an eating plan that works for you, Cording recommends making sure that “you’re covering your bases.” That means having adequate levels of protein, fat, and fiber, along with a range of fruits and vegetables. “I generally recommend having a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods and hydrating properly,” she says.
If you’re still unsure, she suggests meeting with a registered dietitian, if your budget allows for it. They should be able to offer some personalized guidance to help you reach your health and nutrition goals.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.