Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, remains an icon, yet his unhealthy lifestyle, particularly his diet, is often cited as a contributing factor to his early death at age 42 in 1977. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overindulgence, especially when combined with other health issues.
Unhealthy Food Habits
In his later years, Elvis developed unhealthy eating routines that led to severe digestive issues, including chronic constipation. His favorite snacks included peanut butter and banana sandwiches, sometimes with bacon. Fried breakfasts, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, bologna with barbecue sauce, fried pickles, and sugary drinks like Pepsi, Nesbitt's Orange, and Shasta Black Cherry were also staples in his diet. Some accounts suggest he consumed coconut cake almost nightly, a dessert he cherished since childhood. According to "Fit for a King," Elvis was "just wild about his mother's coconut cake." The book also noted his fondness for milk, water, and soda, occasionally preferring chocolate milk.
Family and Cultural Roots
Elvis's relationship with food was deeply rooted in his family traditions and Southern upbringing. Food played a significant role in his personal life. Priscilla Beaulieu's first "date" with Elvis, while he was stationed in Germany, involved a home-cooked Southern supper prepared by Elvis's grandmother, Minnie Presley. He often put his own spin on Southern comfort food, most notably with the Fool's Gold Loaf.
The Iconic Fool's Gold Loaf
The Fool's Gold Loaf, a testament to Elvis's extravagant appetite, consisted of a hollowed-out sourdough loaf filled with an entire jar of jelly, an entire jar of peanut butter, and a pound of bacon.
Bizarre Food Legends
Elvis's appetite was legendary. Reports claimed his love for Spanish omelets once caused a temporary egg shortage in Tennessee. Tabloid stories from the 1960s even suggested that Pepsi was delivered directly to Graceland in dedicated trucks, as Elvis supposedly drank "several" cans with each meal.
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His longtime chef, Mary Jenkins, recounted in "Elvis the Way I Knew Him" how the singer, while hospitalized for intestinal issues, would ask her to sneak in food "disguised as clothes." He specifically requested "some kraut and wiener sandwiches."
Attempts at Weight Loss
Despite his love for high-calorie foods, Elvis did attempt to manage his weight at times. In early 1973, determined to lose weight before his "Aloha from Hawaii" concert, he went on a crash diet, reportedly consuming only 500 calories a day. His girlfriend at the time, Linda Thompson, recalled that he also received daily injections of a protein derived from the urine of pregnant women, supposedly to burn fat.
He also experimented with other methods, including a "sleeping beauty diet," where he attempted to induce a coma to avoid eating. He reportedly tried this in the 1970s with a Las Vegas doctor, but the attempt was unsuccessful when he woke up after falling out of bed.
Elvis also reportedly tried to slim down by eating nothing but jelly made of his favorite black cherry soda and bananas for weeks.
Exercise
Beyond dieting, Elvis incorporated some physical activity into his life. He held a black belt in karate and enjoyed playing badminton and American football.
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Decline and Tragic End
Sadly, Elvis’s poor diet, combined with prescription drug dependence and chronic digestive problems, took a devastating toll on his health. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 42. At the time of his death, he reportedly weighed 159 kilograms and consumed between 10,000 and 12,000 calories per day.
Elvis's Famous Recipes
Elvis's culinary preferences have inspired numerous recipes and tributes. Here are a few examples:
- Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich: A simple yet iconic combination of peanut butter and sliced banana between two slices of white bread, often fried in butter.
- Fool's Gold Loaf: As described above, a hollowed-out sourdough loaf filled with peanut butter, jelly, and bacon.
- Elvis Presley Milkshake: A modern interpretation featuring peanut butter, banana, bourbon, bacon, and vanilla ice cream.
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