
The late Betty White, who was known for her comedic talent and her role in *The Golden Girls*, attributed her longevity to her diet. White claimed that she tried to avoid eating anything green. She also had a fondness for junk food, including hot dogs, French fries, and candy, and enjoyed drinking vodka. White's diet was notably unconventional, and she even went as far as to say that she was averse to diets, especially those that would require her to eat nothing but grapefruit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avoid | Anything green |
| Fondness for | Vodka, hot dogs, French fries, red vines, potato chips, candy, licorice, diet coke |
| Exercise | Climbing stairs in her two-story house |
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What You'll Learn
- Betty White's diet included hot dogs and French fries
- She also enjoyed vodka on the rocks with lots of lemon
- Red licorice was another favourite, often washed down with Diet Coke
- White was averse to diets, especially those that required her to eat only grapefruit
- She was not a fan of cooking and only entered the kitchen to feed her dog

Betty White's diet included hot dogs and French fries
Betty White's diet has been a topic of fascination for many, especially given her longevity and vibrant health even in her later years. The comedian herself attributed her long life to her diet, specifically her avoidance of "anything green".
Indeed, White's diet included foods that some might consider indulgent or unconventional for someone of her age. Notably, she had a penchant for hot dogs and French fries, a combination she enjoyed well into her later years. In an interview with Bon Appetit when she was 92, White shared that her lunch usually consisted of a hot dog and French fries or something similarly "devilish".
This love for hot dogs and French fries was corroborated by White's "Hot in Cleveland" co-stars, Wendie Malick and Jane Leeves. Malick remarked that White "seems to exist on hot dogs and French fries", while Leeves characterised her diet as "crap", speculating that perhaps it was the preservatives in these foods that contributed to White's longevity.
In addition to her fondness for hot dogs and French fries, White was also known to enjoy Red Vines, or red licorice, as well as the occasional cocktail or vodka martini. She also had a soft spot for desserts and was particularly fond of Red Whips, a type of candy.
While some might question the nutritional value of these food choices, it's evident that Betty White's diet, including her enjoyment of hot dogs and French fries, worked well for her. She maintained her health and vitality, even as she approached her 100th birthday, proving that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and that indulging in treats can certainly be part of a balanced and enjoyable life.
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She also enjoyed vodka on the rocks with lots of lemon
While Betty White's diet included hot dogs and French fries, she also enjoyed the finer things in life, such as vodka on the rocks with lots of lemon. In fact, White went so far as to tell David Letterman that vodka was "kind of a hobby" for her. She also told Parade in 2018 that "vodka and hot dogs. Probably in that order" were her favourite foods.
White's appreciation for vodka was well-known, and she was often seen with a vodka martini in hand, joking that the drink kept her young. Her friend told Closer Weekly:
> "Betty loves to joke that vodka keeps her young [and] loves the image of her sitting at home in a rocking chair, drinking a martini and watching game shows."
In addition to her love of vodka, White was also known to enjoy a good cocktail. She told Bon Appétit in 2014 that she liked her vodka with "lots and lots of lemon". This drink of choice was also noted by her co-star on The Proposal, Sandra Bullock, who hoped White would celebrate her 100th birthday "with humour, kindness, and a vodka on ice".
While it may seem unusual to credit a long life to a diet that includes junk food and alcohol, White's approach to diet and health seemed to be rooted in balance and enjoyment. She once advised:
> "Take some wheatgrass, soy paste and carob. Toss them in the garbage and cook yourself a big-ass piece of pork."
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Red licorice was another favourite, often washed down with Diet Coke
Red licorice was one of Betty White's favourite candies. She ate "ridiculously a lot" of it, according to her Hot in Cleveland costar Wendie Malick.
Red licorice was not the only sweet treat White enjoyed. She also had a fondness for vodka, which she would drink with "lots and lots of lemon". She also enjoyed hot dogs and French fries, which she credits, along with her sense of humour, for her long life.
White's diet was not particularly healthy, and she was averse to diets in general. She once said that she would not follow a diet that required her to eat nothing but grapefruit. She also said she didn't like to cook and only went into the kitchen to feed her dog.
Despite her diet, White lived to be 99 years old, dying just weeks before her 100th birthday. Her longevity may be due to her active lifestyle and positive outlook. She believed in staying busy and having a sense of humour, not taking herself too seriously, and always finding the positive in life.
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White was averse to diets, especially those that required her to eat only grapefruit
Betty White was known for her comedic talent, her remarkable career spanning many decades, and her vibrant personality. When it came to her diet, however, White was notably averse to following strict regimens or fads. She had a healthy skepticism of diets, especially the extreme or restrictive ones that were often popular during her time in the spotlight. One type of diet that White particularly disliked was the grapefruit diet, which typically involves consuming large quantities of grapefruit or even exclusively eating grapefruit for several meals a day. This diet, which has been around in various forms since the 1930s, promises rapid weight loss but offers little in the way of balanced nutrition or long-term sustainability.
White's dislike for this type of diet was likely rooted in her common-sense approach to health and wellness. She understood that a healthy relationship with food involves variety, moderation, and enjoyment. The idea of subsisting primarily or solely on grapefruit would have been unappealing to her, both from a taste perspective and because it goes against the principles of a well-rounded diet. Grapefruit diets often lack sufficient protein, healthy fats, and other essential nutrients, and they can be difficult to maintain due to their monotony and restrictive nature.
Instead of following fad diets, White preferred to maintain a generally healthy and balanced approach to eating. She enjoyed a variety of foods and was not afraid to indulge in treats now and then. In an interview with WebMD in 2012, White shared that she didn't deny herself the foods she loved, stating, "I try to eat what I want, and I don't pig out. I just try to be sensible." This sensible attitude toward food and diet reflects her overall positive and pragmatic outlook on life.
White's attitude toward diets, especially her aversion to the grapefruit diet, serves as a reminder that healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated or restrictive. It's essential to listen to your body, enjoy a variety of nutritious foods, and practice moderation. This balanced approach, coupled with regular exercise, is a sustainable and enjoyable way to maintain health and well-being, as exemplified by White's long and fruitful life.
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She was not a fan of cooking and only entered the kitchen to feed her dog
Betty White was known for her healthy lifestyle and longevity, but she was not a fan of cooking. In fact, she famously quipped, "I only enter the kitchen to feed my dog." This statement gives us an insight into her diet and her approach to food. White's attitude towards cooking was one of necessity rather than enjoyment. She saw the kitchen as a functional space, primarily used to prepare meals for her beloved pets. This suggests that she preferred simplicity and convenience when it came to her own diet.
Indeed, White's diet was notably straightforward and consistent. She was not a fan of complicated recipes or time-consuming meal preparations. Instead, she favored a no-fuss approach, opting for quick and easy meals that required minimal effort. This likely reflected her busy lifestyle and her preference for efficiency in all areas of her life. White's diet was also characterized by moderation and balance.
She understood the importance of a healthy and nutritious diet but did not subscribe to any extreme fad diets or restrictive eating patterns. She enjoyed treats and indulgences in moderation, believing that everything was acceptable in small portions. This balanced approach likely contributed to her overall health and longevity. While White may not have spent much time cooking elaborate meals, she still prioritized her health and well-being.
She likely relied on simple, nutritious foods that could be prepared with minimal effort, such as lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. She may have also incorporated healthy snacks and meal replacements to ensure she was getting the necessary nutrients without spending excessive time in the kitchen. In conclusion, Betty White's famous quote about only entering the kitchen to feed her dog reveals her practical and no-frills approach to food and cooking. Her diet was characterized by simplicity, moderation, and convenience, reflecting her busy lifestyle and preference for efficiency.
Despite her lack of enthusiasm for cooking, she still maintained a healthy and balanced diet, prioritizing her health and well-being through sensible food choices and a sensible eating regimen.
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Frequently asked questions
Betty White claimed she didn't like to cook and only went into the kitchen to feed her dog. She also said she was averse to diets, especially the idea of eating only grapefruit. She told Bon Appetit that she enjoyed a diet of hot dogs and French fries, and even included these foods on a "survival diet" she scribbled on a napkin. She also had a fondness for vodka, telling David Letterman that it was "kind of a hobby".
White's diet was not particularly healthy. In addition to her love of hot dogs, French fries, and vodka, she also enjoyed candy, especially red licorice, and often washed it down with a Diet Coke.
White didn't follow a specific exercise routine, but she told the New York Times in 2012 that she lived in a two-story house and had a bad memory, so she was "up and down those stairs all the time".











































