Tech

Shredded Zuck is apparently eating 4,000 calories a day, including McDonald's Quarter Pounders, apple pies, and McFlurrys

Mark Zuckerberg, center, poses with two men, including his trainer, Dave Camarillo, left.
Mark Zuckerberg is eating 4,000 calories a day to maintain his new fitness regime. Mark Zuckerberg
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Mark Zuckerberg's a hungry boy. 

In a Threads post on Monday, the billionaire chief executive of Meta said that he needs roughly 4,000 calories per day to "offset all the activity" he's doing as part of his new fitness regime.

Zuckerberg said in a recent interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, that he does three to four jujitsu and MMA sessions a week, as well as strength and conditioning work, topped off with mobility training.

And the grueling fitness regime allows for some hefty plates of food packed with calories to support muscle protein synthesis, electrolyte replenishment, and general recovery — and that includes McDonald's apparently.

After McDonald's posted on Threads asking for followers' favorite orders, Zuckerberg responded: "20 nuggets, a quarter pounder, large fries, Oreo McFlurry, apple pie, and maybe some cheeseburgers for later?"

That prompted a callout from the UFC fighter (and Zuck's friend) Mike Davis. "You're in camp! No Mcdonald's," the fighter posted.

Davis was, of course, reminding Zuckerberg that he was in the midst of a training camp to prepare for a possible bout with rival billionaire Elon Musk, which means fast food shouldn't be on the menu. But Zuck said he needed about 4,000 calories a day to maintain his weight during his current training regime.

 

High-calorie diets are a staple for high-performing athletes, who often eat foods traditionally seen as unhealthy as a means of getting quick and easy calories. 

The Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps famously said he consumed 10,000 calories a day from a diet involving regular servings of pasta, energy drinks, and pizza to ensure he had enough energy to go lap after lap in the pool. 

Zuck isn't Phelps, but he is undergoing a broader public-image makeover to come off as tougher, serious about fitness, and relatable in a bro-ey kind of way.

Meta didn't respond to Insider's request for comment to confirm if their fitness-loving boss did go ahead with his McDonald's order. 

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Hasan Chowdhury
Hasan Chowdhury
Hasan Chowdhury is a senior technology reporter at Business Insider.He covers Silicon Valley companies, including Apple, Google, OpenAI, and Tesla, as well as emerging technologies such as generative AI and virtual reality. He also covers global stories in venture capital.Prior to Insider, Hasan was a Technology Reporter at the Telegraph, and previously wrote for the Financial Times and New Statesman. To send tips or talk confidentially, email hchowdhury@bjinnox.com or message on Twitter @_hasanc.Sample of stories: