World Cup 2026

“He eats like a bear”: Inside Erling Haaland’s wild 6,000-calorie diet

The Norway striker’s extreme eating habits are going viral again as his unprecedented World Cup run continues.

PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA
Sports Journalist, AS USA
Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.
Update:

When Erling Haaland steps onto the field, he looks different. At 6′5″ (1.96 meters), with explosive speed and power, the Manchester City and Norway striker has built one of the most dominant physical profiles in world soccer.

As he’s pushed Norway on to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, he’s gained tons of attention online, and recently, a viral claim about his “6,000-calorie diet” started making the rounds online.

Haaland’s “6,000-calorie” diet

Elite athletes, especially at Haaland’s size and intensity, often fluctuate between 4,000 and 6,000 calories daily, depending on training, recovery, and match schedules. So he definitely can hit those numbers, but probably not every single day. Still, even at the lower end, it’s a massive intake compared to the average person.

Haaland’s diet isn’t about junk food or cheat meals. It’s about fuel. Across interviews and behind-the-scenes clips, his typical foods include:

  • Lean meats like chicken and steak
  • Fish for protein and omega-3s
  • Eggs and vegetables
  • Carbohydrates like pasta and rice
  • Organ meats (which he’s openly praised for their nutritional value)

He’s also been linked to trends like raw milk and honey, though those appear to be occasional additions rather than staples. And unlike many athletes, Haaland is known for keeping it simple: Mostly water, minimal sugar, no nonsense.

Norway teammate Joshua King once said of Haaland, “I’ve never seen anyone eat as much as him. He eats like a bear.”

Haaland’s combination of size, speed, and endurance is almost unmatched, and his diet plays a huge role in maintaining that edge. Every sprint, every jump, every collision requires fuel...apparently a lot of it.

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