The current deadlift record holder consumes 8,000 calories and 400 grams of protein per day.
Last updated on December 19th, 2025
Strongman diets often consist of extremely high calories, sometimes reaching five figures. The 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and current deadlift record holder, Hafthor Björnsson, recently had his daily meals evaluated by Dr. Mike Israetel.
Björnsson’s daily routine kicks off with one and a half liters of water mixed with Hydrate, an electrolyte powder, and creatine. His nutrition plan for the day includes five meals strategically timed around his waking hours and workout schedule.
Consuming around 400 grams of protein on his way to a total of 8,000 calories per day, Björnsson mentioned, “I used to eat 10,000 calories daily. When I was younger, I was more active and needed more calories. Now, I am old, lazy, and eat only 8,000.”
Meal One
- 300 Grams of Mixed Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
- 100 Grams of Rice
- Four Large Eggs
- 100 Grams of Strawberries
- 100 Grams of Blueberries
- 245 Milliliters of Orange Juice
- 200 Grams of Greek Yogurt with Two Scoops of Olive Oil
- 30 Grams of Oats
- One Scoop of Colostrum
Meal one consists of approximately 1,640 calories and is considered a classic bodybuilding meal by Israetel.
- Eggs provide high-quality protein and healthy fats.
- Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and rice offer carbohydrates with minimal fat content.
- Strawberries are rich in fiber and promote cardiovascular health.
If Björnsson feels sluggish during training, removing olive oil or another high-calorie condiment from his diet can help address the issue.
Meal Two
- 300 Grams of Rice
- One Liter of Milk
- 100 Grams of Mixed Vegetables
- Half an Avocado
- 150 Grams of Beef Tenderloin
Björnsson’s second meal provides around 1,390 calories.
According to Dr. Israetel, “High-calorie liquid additions to meals make strongman dieting easier.”
Meal Three
- 300 Grams of Rice
- 200 Grams of Ribeye Steak
- 245 Milliliters of Orange Juice
- 200 Grams of Greek Yogurt with Two Scoops of Olive Oil
Meal three contributes approximately 1,350 calories.
- Full-fat Greek yogurt is a rich source of protein and calories.
- Olive oil can boost calorie intake without increasing food volume.
Meal Four & Meal Five
For meals four and five, Björnsson repeats meals two and three. His current meal plan has led to noticeable strength and size gains, preparing him for another attempt at the deadlift world record at the 2025 World Deadlift Championships on Sept. 6, 2025, in Las Vegas, NV.
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References
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Featured image: @thorbjornsson on Instagram