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Inside Julianne Hough’s Nourishing Vegan & Gluten-Free Diet

How Julianne Hough fuels her active lifestyle with a vegan, gluten-free diet focused on balance, pleasure, and whole foods.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 24, 2025

How Julianne Hough fuels her active lifestyle with a vegan, gluten-free diet focused on balance, pleasure, and whole foods.

Julianne Hough’s Balanced Approach to Eating

Julianne Hough, acclaimed dancer, actress, and wellness advocate, is known for her vibrant energy and dedication to holistic health. Central to her lifestyle is a vegan and gluten-free diet—not adopted as a trend, but carefully chosen to fuel her intense schedule and support her well-being. Rather than adhering to restrictive or fad diets, Julianne follows a mindful approach: she eats what makes her feel her best, indulges in treats in moderation, and sees food as a tool for nourishment and enjoyment.

Why Julianne Hough Eats Vegan & Gluten-Free

Julianne’s commitment to a vegan and gluten-free lifestyle started as a personal journey to discover what her body thrives on. Though she acknowledges loving flour-based and sugary treats, she chooses foods that enhance her energy, digestion, and mood. For Hough, health is an inside-out process. She’s candid about not choosing this way of eating for its popularity, but because it aligns with her body’s needs.

Whole, unprocessed foods take center stage in her meals.
She minimizes refined sugars and gluten, focusing on ingredients that leave her feeling light and nourished.
Despite her preferences, she doesn’t deprive herself and emphasizes balance, flavor, and joy in every meal.

Julianne’s Morning Rituals: Lemon Water & Mindful Beginnings

Every morning, Julianne starts her day with a simple but powerful ritual: drinking warm lemon water immediately after waking up.

The night before, she prepares a glass jug of lukewarm water with half a lemon submerged, allowing the flavors to infuse overnight.
This morning beverage, she believes, helps to flush out any remaining toxins, resets her system, and prepares her palate for the day ahead.
It’s an act of self-care, reinforcing her intention to start each day grounded and refreshed.

Julianne explains that this practice “cleans out my system, making me feel like I’m starting the day with a fresh palette.”

A Look at Julianne Hough’s Typical Day of Eating

Julianne’s daily diet showcases how she balances nourishment with pleasure, packs her meals with vibrant plant-based ingredients, and adapts her food choices according to her activity level and cravings.

Breakfast: Hydration, Green Juice & Sometimes Eggs

Before her first meal, Julianne often hydrates with her signature lemon water, sometimes followed by a green juice especially on workout days.

Green Juice Recipe: She customizes based on what’s in her fridge, typically using:

Green apple for sweetness
Kale or spinach for greenery
Carrots, cucumber, celery, beets, lemon, and ginger for added nutrients and flavor

When she opts for a heartier breakfast, steamed eggs with tomato and avocado are favorites. While strictly vegan at times, she has made space for eggs when her body craves them.
She prioritizes eating after her morning workout, ensuring she listens to her body’s hunger cues.

Lunch: Soup & Salad for Sustained Energy

Lunch is where Julianne packs in nutrients without sacrificing flavor. Her go-to? A combination of homemade vegan soup and a vibrant, fresh salad.

Vegan butternut squash and carrot soup is a favorite, often made in large batches to freeze for a quick, wholesome meal.
Her salads are creative and colorful, featuring ingredients like:

Asparagus, broccolini, beets, and watermelon radishes
Tossed with ginger and placed atop a bed of spinach
Dressed simply with apple cider vinegar to aid digestion

Protein is often included for satiety; some of her favorite combinations include grilled chicken and mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, hearts of palm, almonds, edamame, banana peppers, and a squeeze of lemon.

Snacks: Wholesome Treats and Occasional Indulgences

Julianne enjoys fruit-based snacks, like oranges, or reaches for a protein-packed “apple pie smoothie” recommended by her trainer.
When it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth, she chooses Milk Duds, Sour Patch Watermelons, or an occasional ice cream treat.
She keeps wellness juice shots on hand, often sharing these moments with family or friends—especially as part of her wellness routine.
Julianne stresses snacking is about pleasure and fuel, not guilt.

Dinner: Variety and Homemade Comfort

Dinners are where Julianne expresses her love for variation and flavor-packed dishes. Her favorite meal is often mung daal—a nourishing Indian lentil stew—paired with a medley of robust, nutrient-dense vegetables.

Mung daal is served with gluten-free crackers, toasted black sesame seeds, and roasted or steamed sides such as:

Sweet potato
Asparagus
Ginger
Collard greens, Swiss chard, and spinach

Her dinners are designed to be filling, comforting, and deeply nourishing.

“This is really nourishing, really yummy. I feel really full by the end of it,” Julianne shares.

The Role of Pleasure and Moderation

Healthy eating, for Julianne, includes pleasure. She candidly admits she enjoys a glass of wine or cocktail more often than dessert. When indulging, she does so mindfully, savoring every sip or bite rather than feeling guilty.

Julianne would “rather have a glass of wine than dessert,” although she still loves ice cream or sticky toffee pudding on special occasions.
For movie nights—her “Sunday Funday” staple—she enjoys nostalgic snacks like Milk Duds and Sour Patch Watermelons.
She stresses the importance of enjoyment, balance, and not depriving oneself.

Julianne Hough’s Food Philosophy: Listening to Your Body

Increasingly, Julianne’s nutrition outlook focuses on listening to her body and eating with intention.

She believes “if you love your body and love what you’re putting into your body, your body is going to know.”
Her advice: “Enjoy yourself, everything in moderation, and if you’re going to have a drink, or a treat, savor and take pleasure in it.”
She encourages others to prioritize self-compassion over strict rules.

Key Elements of Julianne Hough’s Dietary Routine

Meal	Typical Components	Purpose
Morning	Lemon water, green juice (customized), sometimes steamed eggs with avocado and tomato	Hydration, detox, energy balance
Lunch	Homemade vegan soup (e.g., butternut squash, carrot), creative salad, protein additions if craved	Satiety, nourishment, digestive support
Snacks	Fruit, nut butters, smoothies, chocolates/sweets on occasion	Energy, satisfaction, pleasure
Dinner	Mung daal, gluten-free crackers, variety of veggies, seeds	Comfort, fullness, nutrient replenishment
Treats	Wine, cocktails, ice cream, nostalgic candies	Joy, relaxation, balance

Adaptability: How Julianne Adjusts Her Eating to Lifestyle Needs

Julianne’s diet adapts based on her schedule, fitness level, and cravings. She prioritizes whole foods, but also makes room for spontaneous enjoyment.
Travel and work commitments are met with healthy prepped meals or snacks, often by making large batches or simple, portable foods.
She’s open to experimenting with new flavors or routines when her body signals the need for change.

The Role of Fitness: How Nutrition Supports Performance

As the creator of Kinrgy and a visiting professional on “Dancing With the Stars,” Julianne’s eating patterns directly support her training and performances.

Protein and complex carbs are essential for muscle repair and endurance.
Her vegan dishes, soups, and smoothies provide both quick and sustained sources of energy.
Hydration—a recurring theme in her day—supports her stamina and recovery.

Julianne Hough’s Top Nutrition Tips

Begin each day with hydration (start with infused lemon water).
Use whole plant foods as the foundation of meals; opt for a variety of colors and textures.
Don’t fear healthy fats: avocados, seeds, and nuts are regularly included.
Allow treats and indulgences without guilt—everything in moderation.
Prep meals in advance to stay consistent, especially during busy or travel-heavy periods.
Listen to your body and adjust your routine as your needs evolve.
Prioritize mindful eating: savor the flavors, eat slowly, and stop when satisfied.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Julianne Hough’s diet strictly vegan and gluten-free?

A: Julianne largely follows a vegan and gluten-free diet, but occasionally includes eggs or animal protein when her body craves it. She is flexible and prioritizes what makes her feel best.

Q: What are Julianne Hough’s favorite treats or indulgences?

A: She enjoys a glass of wine or cocktail as an indulgence, and on occasion, treats like ice cream, sticky toffee pudding, or classic candies such as Milk Duds and Sour Patch Watermelons.

Q: Does Julianne follow any specific diet plan or count calories?

A: No, she doesn’t count calories or follow a named diet plan. Instead, she listens to her body’s hunger and fullness signals and chooses foods that make her feel energized and happy.

Q: How does Julianne stay consistent with healthy eating on a busy schedule?

A: She preps meals ahead (like making and freezing soups), brings snacks and wellness shots when traveling, and keeps hydration a priority.

Q: What is Julianne’s advice for those seeking a healthier relationship with food?

A: “Enjoy yourself, everything in moderation, and love your body for the choices you make. Food should be both nourishing and pleasurable.”

Final Thoughts: Nourishment, Balance, and Joy

Julianne Hough’s diet is a reflection of her wider wellness philosophy: honoring the body, indulging the senses, and making food a source of both sustenance and enjoyment. Her practical tips and relatable approach reinforce that health is best served with joy, flexibility, and self-love.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb