The World’s Most Famous Muscles Now Run on Oatmeal and Soup: 12 Meals From Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Real Routine at 79

He was the most famous bodybuilder on Earth, a seven-time Mr. Olympia known for eating huge amounts of protein. Today, at 79, Arnold Schwarzenegger starts his day with oatmeal or yogurt and berries, eats mostly plants and often ends it with a bowl of vegetable soup. In an October 2025 interview with Business Insider he said he no longer drinks many protein shakes, and he has written in his newsletter that his bad cholesterol dropped so low that his doctor thought he might be a different person. He still enjoys schnitzel or a steak now and then. Here are the simple meals from his own words, with easy recipes you can make tonight..

Breakfast Like Arnold Schwarzenegger: Oatmeal With Berries

Arnold Schwarzenegger told Business Insider that his breakfast is usually “an oatmeal or a yogurt with some berries and some granola.” Sometimes he eats it later in the morning, more like a brunch. Oats are cheap, filling and full of fiber, and berries add color and natural sweetness. Make a big pot on Sunday and warm a bowl each morning. What does your breakfast look like most days?

You will need: 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups milk or water, pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup mixed berries, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts.

How to make it: 1. Bring the milk or water and salt to a simmer. 2. Stir in the oats. 3. Cook 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until creamy. 4. Stir in cinnamon. 5. Spoon into bowls. 6. Top with berries, honey and walnuts.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Also Likes Yogurt, Berries and Granola

On days he skips oatmeal, Arnold Schwarzenegger goes for yogurt with berries and granola. It takes two minutes and needs no cooking at all. Plain Greek yogurt adds protein, and you control the sweetness with a little honey. Layer it in a jar the night before and you have breakfast ready to grab on a busy morning.

You will need: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup mixed berries, 1/4 cup granola, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional).

How to make it: 1. Spoon half the yogurt into a bowl or jar. 2. Add half the berries. 3. Add the rest of the yogurt. 4. Top with the remaining berries. 5. Sprinkle with granola and chia. 6. Drizzle with honey.

Austrian Cucumber Salad With Pumpkin Seed Oil

For dinner, he often has a light cucumber salad and tops it with a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil, a dark green oil loved in Austria, where he grew up. It has a deep, nutty taste. Slice the cucumbers very thin, salt them and let them sit so they stay crisp. Have you ever tried pumpkin seed oil?

You will need: 2 English cucumbers, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 small garlic clove grated, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, 1 to 2 tablespoons pumpkin seed oil, toasted pumpkin seeds.

How to make it: 1. Slice the cucumbers very thin. 2. Toss with salt and rest 15 minutes. 3. Squeeze out the extra water. 4. Mix vinegar, sugar, garlic and dill and toss with the cucumbers. 5. Plate and drizzle with pumpkin seed oil. 6. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds.

Dinner Like Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Simple Vegetable Soup

Arnold Schwarzenegger said his typical dinner is a light vegetable soup with that cucumber salad. A big pot keeps for days and costs only a few dollars. Use whatever vegetables you have: carrots, celery, zucchini, broccoli and beans all work. A handful of herbs at the end makes it taste fresh. Would you be happy with soup for dinner most nights?

You will need: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs, 2 garlic cloves, 1 zucchini, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 can (15 oz) white beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon thyme, salt, parsley.

How to make it: 1. Cook onion, carrots and celery in oil 6 minutes. 2. Add garlic and thyme. 3. Add tomatoes and broth and simmer 10 minutes. 4. Add zucchini, broccoli and beans. 5. Simmer 10 minutes more. 6. Season and top with parsley.

Plant Protein Swap: A Warm Lentil Bowl

Arnold Schwarzenegger said he eats mostly plant-based food now, and lentils are one of the easiest ways to get plant protein. They cook in about 20 minutes with no soaking. Toss them with roasted vegetables, a lemon dressing and fresh herbs for a filling bowl. It keeps well, so it is a smart lunch to pack for work.

You will need: 1 cup green or brown lentils, 3 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 2 cups roasted vegetables, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 cup parsley, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Rinse lentils and simmer with water and bay leaf 20 minutes until tender. 2. Drain. 3. Whisk oil, lemon juice and cumin. 4. Toss lentils with the dressing. 5. Add roasted vegetables and parsley. 6. Season and serve warm or cold.

Veggie Tofu Scramble

A tofu scramble looks and eats a lot like scrambled eggs, and it fits a mostly plant-based day. Crumble firm tofu into a hot pan with onions, peppers and spinach, then add a pinch of turmeric for a sunny yellow color. Serve it with toast. Even egg lovers are often surprised by how good it is. Would you try it?

You will need: 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu drained, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 onion, 1 bell pepper, 2 handfuls spinach, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper, whole grain toast.

How to make it: 1. Cook onion and pepper in oil 4 minutes. 2. Crumble in the tofu. 3. Add turmeric, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 4. Cook 5 minutes, stirring. 5. Fold in spinach until wilted. 6. Serve with toast.

Hearty Three-Bean Chili

Beans are cheap, filling and full of fiber and plant protein, which makes them a perfect fit for a mostly plant-based plate. A pot of three-bean chili feeds a family for under ten dollars and tastes even better the next day. Top it with avocado and a spoon of yogurt. Quick poll: A) mild, B) medium, C) hot, or D) extra hot?

You will need: 1 tablespoon oil, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 3 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 can each (15 oz) kidney, black and pinto beans drained, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 cup broth, salt.

How to make it: 1. Cook onion and pepper in oil 5 minutes. 2. Add garlic, chili powder and cumin. 3. Add beans, tomatoes and broth. 4. Simmer 25 minutes. 5. Season with salt. 6. Serve with avocado and yogurt.

Make-Ahead Overnight Oats

Since he sometimes eats his oatmeal later, like a brunch, overnight oats are a handy way to eat like Arnold Schwarzenegger on busy days. Stir oats with milk and yogurt in a jar, leave it in the fridge and eat it cold the next morning. No stove, no dishes. Make five on Sunday and the work week is covered.

You will need: 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1/2 cup strawberries or other berries.

How to make it: 1. Add oats, milk, yogurt, chia and maple syrup to a jar. 2. Stir well. 3. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 4. In the morning stir again. 5. Add a splash of milk if it is too thick. 6. Top with berries.

Once in a While: Pan-Fried Schnitzel

He told Business Insider, “That doesn’t mean that I’ve cut out the wiener schnitzel or a steak every so often.” Wiener schnitzel is traditionally veal, but pork or chicken works well at home. Pound it thin, bread it and fry it fast in hot oil so the crust puffs up. Serve with lemon and a simple salad.

You will need: 4 thin pork or veal cutlets, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs beaten, 1 1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs, oil for frying, lemon wedges, parsley.

How to make it: 1. Pound the cutlets to 1/4 inch and season. 2. Dredge in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. 3. Heat 1/2 inch of oil to 350 F. 4. Fry 2 to 3 minutes per side, swirling the pan. 5. Drain on a rack. 6. Serve with lemon.

Once in a While: A Simple Seared Steak

Steak is the other treat Arnold Schwarzenegger still enjoys every so often. You do not need a grill. A hot cast iron pan, salt, pepper and a little butter and garlic at the end are all it takes. Let it rest before slicing so the juices stay inside. Serve with plenty of vegetables, the way he fills most of his plate. How do you like yours cooked?

You will need: 2 strip or sirloin steaks (1 inch thick), salt and pepper, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 garlic cloves smashed, 2 sprigs thyme, broccoli to serve.

How to make it: 1. Pat steaks dry and season well. 2. Heat oil in a cast iron pan until smoking. 3. Sear 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. 4. Add butter, garlic and thyme and spoon over the steak. 5. Rest 5 minutes. 6. Slice and serve with broccoli.

When He Travels: Schnitzel and Potato Salad

Arnold Schwarzenegger admits his routine falls apart on the road. “Then the whole thing is out the window,” he said, and in Germany he ate wiener schnitzel and potato salad. Austrian and German potato salad is made with vinegar and broth instead of mayonnaise, so it is light and tangy. It is the classic side for schnitzel.

You will need: 2 lb waxy potatoes, 1/2 cup warm beef or vegetable broth, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 small red onion finely chopped, 3 tablespoons oil, chives, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Boil potatoes in their skins until tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Peel and slice while warm. 3. Whisk broth, vinegar, mustard, sugar and onion. 4. Pour over the warm potatoes and toss gently. 5. Rest 20 minutes, then add oil. 6. Season and top with chives.

A Taste of Austria, Where Arnold Schwarzenegger Was Born: Apple Strudel

Apple strudel is one of the best-known desserts from Austria, where Arnold Schwarzenegger was born. This easy version uses store-bought phyllo instead of hand-stretched dough. Keep slices small and enjoy them as a treat, the same balanced way he approaches schnitzel and steak. For more cozy dinners to go with it, see our hearty fall soups you will want to make every week.

You will need: 4 apples peeled and thinly sliced, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/3 cup raisins, 1/3 cup toasted breadcrumbs, 1 lemon, 8 sheets phyllo dough, 1/3 cup melted butter, powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, raisins and lemon juice. 3. Layer phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. 4. Sprinkle breadcrumbs, spread the apples and roll up. 5. Brush with butter and bake 30 to 35 minutes. 6. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.