The Surprising Reality of Zendaya’s Daily Diet

We often see Zendaya glowing on screen or commanding the fashion world, yet her approach to food is refreshingly down-to-earth. She balances a high-profile career with a diet that favors comfort over complicated gourmet trends. While she stays fit for her demanding roles, her actual cravings are much closer to a cozy night in than a Hollywood gala.

Let’s take a look at the specific dishes and habits that keep this global icon fueled.

A Vegetarian Who Skips the Greens

Zendaya has been a committed vegetarian since she was only nine years old, sparked by a deep love for animals. However, she has famously admitted that being meat-free is a bit of a challenge because she doesn’t actually like vegetables very much. She focuses on finding creative ways to stay full without relying on traditional salads or greens.

Her motivation for this lifestyle isn’t about health trends, but rather her compassion for animals after learning where meat comes from as a child. To make up for the lack of steak, she leans heavily into hearty grains and dairy-based comfort foods. This unique perspective makes her one of the most relatable vegetarians in the spotlight today.

The Morning Struggle and Nutella Obsession

If you aren’t a morning person, you have something in common with the Dune star. Zendaya rarely eats breakfast right when she wakes up, often preferring to skip the meal entirely until her body catches up with the day. When she does finally indulge in breakfast foods, it is usually later in the morning or even for lunch.

When she decides to eat, her go-to choice is almost always something sweet and indulgent. She told Harper’s Bazaar that she loves pancakes or berries topped with Nutella, which she considers a must-have ingredient. It seems that for her, a little bit of chocolate hazelnut spread makes any morning better.

Ramen and a Signature Spicy Pasta

For a quick lunch on set, Zendaya keeps things very simple with a cup of instant ramen. She likes to “jazz it up” by adding extra hot sauce to give the noodles a spicy kick. Despite friends reminding her about the sodium content, she stands by it as her favorite convenient meal.

When she has time to cook at home, she has a specific “signature” dish that even her partner, Tom Holland, raves about. According to Tom Holland, her spicy vodka fusilli is one of the best things she makes. It is a comforting, flavorful pasta that fits perfectly into her vegetarian lifestyle.

Her Oakland Bakery Roots

Even with world-class chefs at her fingertips, Zendaya still shouts out her hometown favorites whenever she gets the chance. She recently revealed during a red carpet event that her absolute favorite place to eat in Oakland is Arizmendi Bakery. This worker-owned cooperative is known for its sourdough and unique daily pizzas.

A spokesperson for the bakery confirmed to SFGATE that she is a regular visitor when she is back in town. She usually goes for the specialty thin-crust pizza, proving that she stays loyal to the local spots that shaped her childhood.

A Very Specific Way to Eat Dessert

Zendaya’s love for sweets is well-documented, but her favorite treat comes with a “special talent” that baffles her fans. Her top dessert choice is Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream, which she has loved for years. However, the way she eats it is what really catches people off guard.

She actually bites into her ice cream using her front teeth rather than licking it. She claims she has no tooth sensitivity, allowing her to take huge bites of frozen treats without any pain. It’s a quirky habit that perfectly sums up her fun and unfiltered personality.