In an interview during his 2024 vice presidential campaign, JD Vance revealed that over two years, he managed to shed 30 pounds. He credited his weight loss journey — which involved skipping breakfast, exercising at the gym, running, and generally eating less — to a moment when he found himself out of breath while playing with his kids. He also emphasized that weight loss drugs did not play a role in his journey to a slimmer figure.
This naturally sparked curiosity among people wanting to learn more about Vance’s daily diet and how it compares to that of his boss, Donald Trump. (By the way, here’s everything you’ll find in Donald Trump’s daily diet.) From his interviews and public appearances, one can piece together a rough idea of Vance’s daily meals — or at the very least, what he enjoys eating. Generally, he appears to favor healthy foods (including predominantly vegetable-based Indian dishes) with an occasional indulgence in less nutritious options.
However, one item you’re unlikely to see on his plate is “fake meat,” which he described as “disgusting” during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
JD Vance appreciates Indian cuisine and vegetarian dishes (but still eats meat)
During the aforementioned podcast interview, JD Vance elaborated on his fondness for Indian cuisine, which he attributed to the “exceptional” cooking of his wife, Usha. He described her vegetarian Indian dishes as “delicious” and “flavorful,” praised their variety and authenticity, and mentioned paneer (a type of cheese) and chickpeas as standout ingredients. Embracing his wife’s diet helped strengthen his bond with Usha’s mother, with Vance even learning to cook traditional Indian dishes from his mother-in-law.
Despite his appreciation for authentic vegetarian food, Vance hasn’t completely adopted a vegan lifestyle. (Here’s why a plant-based diet is different from going vegan.) According to his wife’s testimonial at the Republican National Convention 2024 (via YouTube), Vance is still very much a “meat and potatoes” kind of person. Additionally, in 2022, Vance participated in the Ohio State Fair’s rib-eating contest, around the time he began his weight loss journey.
JD Vance also enjoys ice cream, baked goods, and a little bit too much beer
While JD Vance advocates for healthier food choices, he hasn’t entirely cut out indulgent snacks and drinks. It seems he has a passion for ice cream, particularly when it comes to certain flavors that should — or shouldn’t — be on a cone. Reacting to the news that Ohio-based ice cream company Graeter’s was introducing a chili flavor, Vance tweeted that he and Trump “will stop this.” Judging by this and his enjoyment of baking cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip scones, and dulce de leche rolls at home, Vance likely has a sweet tooth.
The Vice President is also fond of beer and doesn’t miss opportunities to share a drink with colleagues, especially during work-related occasions. In April 2025, during an official visit, Vance toasted to — and enjoyed some beer with — U.S. service members at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. There’s also the memorable moment during his 2024 campaign when Vance mentioned that people in Wisconsin would want to have a beer with him because he “actually [does] like to drink beer,” perhaps even “a little bit too much.” (Here’s what you’re really doing to your body if you drink beer every night.)
