Dave Bautista (57) Still Looks Like a Tank—Here's What He Actually Eats

Former WWE champions don’t usually keep building a second career on pure physical presence once the ring lights go out. Dave Bautista has managed exactly that, moving from wrestling into a run of major action and superhero roles without losing the size and strength that made him a star in the first place.

What’s changed more than the muscle is the approach behind it, shifting away from the bulk-first mentality of his wrestling years toward something built to actually last.

He Leans on a Mostly Plant-Based Diet

Bautista has described his current eating pattern as largely plant-based, built around rice, beans, vegetables, and oats rather than the heavier, meat-forward meals typical of his bodybuilding days. He’s said he’d eventually like to go fully vegan.

That shift happened gradually rather than overnight, phased in alongside other dietary changes he made across different stages of his career. Fish and eggs still make regular appearances, keeping protein intake up without relying on red meat.

He Cut Ingredients Out One at a Time

Dairy was the first to go, eliminated in 2005 after Bautista learned it was aggravating his asthma. Red meat and pork followed around 2010, and he later stopped eating poultry as well, narrowing his diet step by step rather than overhauling everything at once.

Fish stayed in the rotation a couple of times a week, along with eggs, giving him enough flexibility to hit his protein needs without reversing the bigger changes he’d already made.

Eating Windows Matter as Much as the Menu

Alongside what he eats, Bautista has leaned on intermittent fasting, often not eating until well into the afternoon and stopping several hours before bed. He’s estimated his intake at around 2,500 calories a day, describing that restriction as barely noticeable for him personally: “for me, it’s like nothing.”

That short eating window, paired with consistent training, was central to a recent 75-pound weight loss after he intentionally bulked up for a film role. He’s said the extra size left him feeling “uncomfortably big” once filming wrapped.

Training Shifted From Size to Sustainability

Bautista has been candid about how his workouts changed as his career went on. Early in his wrestling days, the focus was almost entirely on looking the part physically, but injuries eventually pushed him toward a different philosophy: “I realized I didn’t have to put that much pressure on my body,” he’s said about that shift.

Cardio took on a bigger role as a result, even though severe asthma has made it a persistent challenge for him. That trade-off, protecting his joints while still training hard, appears to be a big part of why he’s kept his physique this long.

Comfort Food Still Has a Place

Despite the discipline, Bautista hasn’t cut out enjoyment entirely. Sushi comes up repeatedly as a favorite meal he could eat daily, and he’s mentioned keeping simple snacks like almond butter with banana on hand between meals while on set.

That balance between structure and genuine enjoyment of food seems to be part of what’s made the approach sustainable for him, rather than something he’s had to force himself through year after year.