Elton John Details Strict Diet in His 70s

Temptation’s strong, but Elton John has made some sacrifices for the sake of his health.

The “Rocket Man” singer—who was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in the early 2000s—recently revealed the foods he loves but must avoid due to his strict diet.

"I can have an apple, I can eat a bit of melon," he said on the Nov. 11 episode of Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast. "As long as you're sensible about it, it doesn't shoot your blood sugar up. But what I crave is chocolate and ice cream, I can't have any ice cream."

But it isn’t just the traditional desserts the EGOT winner—who shares sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, with husband David Furnish—desperately wants to eat again. He also said “food is incredible in the South.”

"I like all sorts of things that aren't good for me,” Elton continued. “Fried chicken, donuts. If I had a death row meal, it wouldn't contain anything except sweets, because I can't eat them now. So, I'd have ice cream, donuts, apple pie, rhubarb crumble, blah blah blah."

And his palate isn’t the only area of Elton’s life that has strict boundaries. Before the 77-year-old retired from performing in 2023, he combined his diet with a set work schedule to keep a routine while on tour.

“I would get to the venue at three o'clock,” he explained. “I've got to sleep till 5:30. And then I have my dinner. I would eat at probably 5:30.”

As for what his pre-show meal contained? The “I’m Still Standing” singer stuck to the basics.

“It would be probably a little steak and some vegetables,” Elton explained. “Just some protein and some vegetables because you can't go on stage when [you feel like] you'll fall out. It’s very unpleasant. That would be it. It was a ritual.”

After his meal, he would keep it simple before the show, adding, “I faff around getting ready and then that’s it.”

For more on Elton’s life over the years, keep reading…