If you’ve been hanging out on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve come across Eddie Abbew. This ex-bodybuilder has become one of the biggest names in the fitness scene in the past year, thanks to his straightforward and expletive-laden take on dieting.
In fact, calling it straightforward is an understatement. The gym owner churns out some seriously meme-worthy content, often found ripping into everyday foods right down the aisles of supermarkets.
His recent take on hot cross buns is probably too colourful for me to repeat here, so if you haven’t caught it yet, I’ll let you discover that gem yourself.
By all accounts, fans are lapping up his message. In July 2023, the health guru had 360,000 followers on Instagram and as of now, boasts 3.4 million.
Add that figure to his 1.2 million-strong army on TikTok, and that’s a lot of people tuning in to hear him rant about food. Abbew has some notable admirers in his corner as well.
Rapper Stormzy famously sought forgiveness from the big man himself after indulging in a post-show McDonald’s, and he’s also been lending a hand to former TOWIE star Gemma Collins in her weight loss journey.
It appears that Abbew’s no-holds-barred advice is irresistible to many and despite a few clashes with other big-name influencers like James Smith and JackedEats, his stock only seems to be rising.
But under all the hyperbole, Abbew’s message is this: nutrition is simple.
At 60 years old, this fitness veteran has seen it all, and when it comes to fad diets, he’s been there and done that.
In Abbew’s own words, his mission is to get people to “wake the f*ck up” and start eating real food. So, what does that actually mean?
What Does Eddie Abbew Eat?
Abbew has coined a few catchphrases, but one he’s most known for is his outspoken callout against “sugary sh*t”. The former psychiatric nurse has a personal vendetta with processed food.
Everyday staples like breakfast cereals, white bread, and vegan meat alternatives are among the products that Abbew regularly gives the hairdryer treatment to.
The former British champion isn’t keen on protein bars or powders either. In a recent video, he bluntly stated: “You may not want to hear it, but whey is sh*t. Protein yoghurts, protein bars – they’re all sh*t
“I knew some of the people who started these companies and I wouldn’t trust them to brush my teeth, I wouldn’t even trust them to clean my shoes.”
He added: “These are guys who f*cked up at school. I’m sorry to say that, but unfortunately, they’ve found a market and tapped into it.
“All these studies, whenever you see a study, follow the money. Who paid for that study? Because there should never be a study that tells you to stop eating real food.”
At this point, you might be wondering, “What can I eat?”
Abbew’s list of approved foods is simple and easy to understand. The Ghanaian-born Brit is all about animal protein, especially high-fat animal protein.
Rather than opting for lean cuts like chicken breast, Abbew recommends digging into the thighs and wings.
He’s also a fan of steak, full-fat beef mince, liver, lamb, venison, pork, salmon, and basically any other form of non-processed meat and fish fried up in coconut oil, tallow, or duck fat.
His philosophy centres on embracing natural fats. Nuts, feta cheese, avocados, olives, and plenty of eggs typically make their way onto his plate, along with cruciferous veggies.
Carbs are a rarity, though he does treat himself to the occasional cheat meal with brown rice or sweet potato. But let’s face it, it doesn’t sound like much of a cheat meal, does it?
“People say, ‘it’s Keto, it’s carnivore,’ it’s nothing, it’s all of them together,” he said.
“I eat very few carbs and very little sugar. I’ve cut out all the ultra-processed foods from my diet. I consume a ton of eggs. And let me tell you, I feel more energised than I did in my 30s.”
What Does A Typical Day Of Eating Look Like For Eddie Abbew
Abbew often fasts, so his first meal of the day might come at the crack of dawn or as late as 5 pm. Either way, it typically includes eight eggs and feta cheese with homemade tomato sauce.
For meal two, he’ll have something like lamb, more eggs, beef liver, olives, avocado, mushrooms, and broccoli.
Abbew likes to mix things up with his eating pattern, so if he has a third meal, it’s usually 250-300g of cooked animal protein seasoned simply with spices and accompanied by more veggies.
