Inside Martha Stewart’s Everyday Diet: Simple Eating, Farm-Fresh Choices, and Classic Recipes

Explore Martha Stewart's daily diet—from green juice mornings to farm-fresh dinners—with practical wellness insights.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
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Martha Stewart’s Refreshingly Simple Daily Diet

Martha Stewart, the celebrated homemaker and lifestyle icon, is renowned for her elegant approach to entertaining and culinary mastery. Yet her own everyday diet is straightforward, rooted in a philosophy of organic, fresh, and healthy choices sourced directly from her own farm whenever possible. Stewart’s routine emphasizes nutrient-rich foods, mindful meals, and classic cooking techniques, forming the backbone of her wellness and energy at any age.

Core Principles of Martha Stewart’s Eating Habits

  • Organic and Clean Eating: Stewart prioritizes clean, organic produce and minimally processed foods.
  • Farm-to-Table Philosophy: Much of her produce and ingredients come from her own greenhouse and garden.
  • Simplicity Over Complexity: Her meals are often simple staples crafted with top-quality ingredients.
  • Balanced Nutrition: Martha pays close attention to getting sufficient vitamins, minerals, and fiber through whole foods.

Morning Rituals: Green Juice and Mindful Preparation

Each morning, Martha Stewart begins her day early—by 6:15 am. She dives into the news, reads The New York Times cover to cover, and then heads to the kitchen for her signature green juice, a practice she’s followed for years and credits as her secret to glowing skin and hair health.

The Martha Stewart Green Juice Recipe

  • Cucumber (fresh from her greenhouse)
  • Parsley
  • Mint
  • Half an orange (including the skin)
  • Celery (leaves included)
  • Pineapple
  • Ginger (a small piece)

Notably absent: kale and cabbage. Stewart dismisses them for taste reasons, favoring a refreshing, slightly sweet profile.

Green Juice Preparation Tips:

  • Use a high-quality juicer or “bluicer” for optimal extraction.
  • Source ingredients organically whenever possible for maximum nutrient density.
  • Drink immediately after juicing for the freshest flavors.

Benefits of Starting the Day with Green Juice

  • Hydration to kickstart metabolism
  • Floods the system with antioxidants and micronutrients
  • Supports skin vitality and hair health
  • May improve digestion and immune function

Midmorning: Coffee, Chores, and a Connection to Nature

After giving her juice time to digest, Stewart steps outside to check on her lush property, supervising her array of animals, including horses, donkeys, peacocks, pigeons, hens, roosters, and geese. This farmland routine brings her into closer contact with the very sources of her ingredients and enriches her physical wellness.

Cappuccino Ritual

  • Milk: Organic Battenkill Valley milk
  • Espresso Machine: La San Marco, a central hub of her kitchen
  • Taste: Stewart values the richness, quality, and temperature of her cappuccino

Rather than rushing, Stewart makes coffee a thoughtful interlude, complementing her morning chores and offering a pause for reflection.

Lunch: Skipping Snacks and Embracing Light, Nourishing Meals

Martha Stewart isn’t a snacker. Brands and friends are constantly sending her pastries and breads, but she makes it a point to keep tempting snacks away, relying on disciplined restraint and mindful eating habits.

Signature Light Lunch: Fancy Tuna Salad

  • Italian tuna, canned in olive oil (preferred for flavor and texture over water-packed)
  • Fresh celery
  • Crisp apple
  • Half a shallot
  • Lots of lemon juice
  • Small amount of mayonnaise (just for creaminess)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

This combination elevates a basic lunch staple into a sophisticated, nutrient-rich meal, with the tartness of apples and citrus lifting the richness of the tuna and olive oil.

Why Skip Snacks?

  • Control Over Unnecessary Calories: Helps avoid mindless eating.
  • Maintaining Consistent Energy Levels: Large, nourishing meals sustain Stewart through her busy day.
  • Treats as Occasional Enjoyment: Pastries become special instead of routine.

Dinner: Group Entertaining and Inspired Classic Recipes

Stewart’s passion for dinner shines most when sharing meals with family and friends. Despite pandemic restrictions, she continued hosting select gatherings, emphasizing safety through testing and social distancing. Her dinner menus focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and elegant, yet accessible preparations.

Martha’s Favorite Dinner Party Recipe: Nomad-Style Roasted Chicken

Stewart’s approach to roasting a chicken is impressive in its detail and flavor. Here’s how she does it:

  • Dry-brine chicken in salt and pepper in the fridge overnight
  • Add black truffles under the skin for a luxurious touch
  • Coat with room-temperature butter
  • Roast in a 425°F oven for one hour

Her sides are equally fresh:

  • Rack of lamb, simply seasoned
  • Green beans from the garden
  • Fresh garden salad

Dinner Philosophy

  • Focus on Group Experiences: Stewart prefers preparing dinner as a communal experience, celebrating food and connection.
  • Emphasis on Quality Ingredients: Truffles, organic chicken, fresh produce are staples, not exceptions.
  • Classic Techniques: Dry brining, oven roasting, simple seasoning render familiar dishes extraordinary.

Beverages: Enjoying the Occasional Cocktail

Stewart rarely drinks alone, but enjoys cocktails or wine when entertaining. Her preferences are classic and fresh, always maintaining her high standards for ingredient quality.

DrinkIngredientsOccasion
Vodka on the rocksHigh-quality vodka, thick orange sliceEntertaining guests
GreyhoundVodka, freshly squeezed grapefruit juiceSocial gatherings
WineSelections from her wine clubDinners and celebrations

Kitchen Essentials: Stewart’s Bare-Bones Refrigerator Staples

Despite access to an enormous refrigerator, Stewart prefers to keep only a handful of high-quality essentials on hand. This ensures freshness and encourages creativity with every meal.

  • Parmesan cheese: For grating over salads and pasta
  • Organic milk: Primarily for cappuccinos
  • Butter: Organic, quality is key
  • Crème fraîche: For omelets and sauces
  • Fresh eggs: Sourced from her own chickens

Benefits of a Minimalist Refrigerator

  • Reduces food waste
  • Encourages frequent use of fresh ingredients
  • Keeps the kitchen uncluttered and organized

Baking: Occasional Indulgences and Comfort Classics

Martha Stewart occasionally bakes when time permits, indulging in comforting classics and sharing them with loved ones. Her favorites include Sally Lunn babka bread, praised for its lightness and suitability for toasting or making breakfast bread pudding.

  • Sally Lunn babka bread: Light, fluffy, perfect for breakfast
  • Breakfast bread pudding: A delicious use for leftover bread

Baking for Stewart is both a creative outlet and a way to treat friends—reinforcing her belief in food as a means of nurturing connection.

Supplements: Minimalism and Strategic Use

Stewart’s diet is so rich in whole, non-processed foods that she rarely resorts to supplements. She does take calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and lysine during times of stress or when she feels she may need a boost, demonstrating her measured approach.

Supplements Taken Occasionally

  • Calcium and magnesium: For bone health
  • Vitamin D: For immune and bone support
  • Lysine: Used mainly for stress management

Her main source of vitamins and minerals is through her diet—a testament to eating nutrient-dense, whole foods.

FAQs: The Martha Stewart Diet and Wellness Routine

Q: Why does Martha Stewart favor Italian tuna packed in olive oil?

A: She finds it richer, more flavorful, and better in texture than tuna packed in water, elevating her tuna salad to a distinctly gourmet dish.

Q: Does Martha Stewart eat snacks between meals?

A: No. Stewart avoids regular snacking and prefers meals that keep her satisfied, saying that keeping snacks out of the kitchen helps manage temptation.

Q: What supplements does Martha Stewart use?

A: Martha’s supplement use is limited to periods she feels necessary, using calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and lysine for stress. Most of her nutrition comes from whole foods.

Q: How does she prepare her signature roasted chicken?

A: She dry-brines the chicken overnight with salt and pepper, stuffs the skin with black truffles, coats the bird with butter, and roasts in a high oven for an hour.

Q: What is Stewart’s philosophy on cocktails and alcohol?

A: Stewart enjoys cocktails and drinks only in company, favoring quality vodka or fresh juices, and selects wine from her personal club for gatherings.

Key Takeaways from Martha Stewart’s Wellness Approach

  • Simplicity paired with top-tier ingredients defines Stewart’s everyday eating.
  • Focus on self-grown, organic produce maximizes flavor and nutrition.
  • Minimal snacking and strategic use of supplements illustrate a disciplined, intuitive approach to wellness.
  • Cooking and eating remain sources of pleasure and connection in Stewart’s life, whether baking for friends or hosting intimate dinners.

Through daily habits grounded in freshness, simplicity, and quality, Martha Stewart’s diet offers both inspiration and practical guidance for anyone seeking greater control over their health and kitchen alike.

Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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