Buffett has spoken about several principles that contribute to his happiness:
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He does work he loves
- He has said he "tap dances to work."
- He spends most of his day reading, thinking, and making investment decisions, which he genuinely enjoys.
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He values relationships over money
- Buffett frequently says that the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life.
- He believes that being loved by the people you want to love you is the ultimate measure of success.
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He avoids unnecessary stress
- He delegates effectively.
- He avoids constant meetings and maintains a relatively uncluttered schedule.
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He reads extensively
- He reportedly spends 5–6 hours a day reading annual reports, newspapers, books, and business material.
- Reading gives him both pleasure and an investment edge.
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He keeps life simple
- He still lives in the house he bought in Omaha in 1958.
- He has few extravagant hobbies.
- He avoids lifestyle inflation.
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He thinks long term
- Whether investing or living, Buffett focuses on decades rather than days.
- This reduces anxiety over short-term fluctuations.
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He maintains a sense of humor
- Anyone who has watched the annual Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting knows he enjoys jokes and self-deprecating humor.
What Warren Buffett eats
His diet is unconventional and has become almost legendary.
Breakfast
Often from McDonald's.
Depending on the stock market and his mood, he has described choosing between:
- Sausage McMuffin
- Bacon, egg and cheese biscuit
- Sausage, egg and cheese
Drinks
His favorite beverage is:
- Coca-Cola (especially Cherry Coke or regular Coke)
He has said he drinks around five cans a day, with a significant portion of his daily calories coming from Coke.
Snacks
He enjoys:
- Potato chips
- Popcorn
- Ice cream
- Cookies
- See's Candies chocolates (Berkshire owns the company)
Lunch and Dinner
He has mentioned enjoying foods such as:
- Hamburgers
- Hot dogs
- Steak
- French fries
- Pizza
He is not known for eating salads or following trendy diets.
Dessert
Buffett has admitted to loving:
- Ice cream
- Chocolate
- Candy
He once joked that he eats "like a six-year-old."
Why does this work for him?
Buffett has humorously argued that actuarial tables show six-year-olds have the lowest death rates, so he jokingly models his diet after them. Of course, this is a quip rather than medical advice.
Several factors likely help explain why he has remained active into his 90s despite his diet:
- Favorable genetics
- Avoiding smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption (little to none)
- Low chronic stress
- Strong social relationships
- Remaining intellectually engaged every day
Medical experts generally would not recommend his diet as a model for longevity. Diets emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, healthy fats, and lean proteins have much stronger evidence for promoting long-term health.
Lessons worth copying (rather than his diet)
For most people, Buffett's enduring habits are more valuable than his food choices:
- Love the work you do.
- Read every day.
- Cultivate close relationships.
- Keep your lifestyle below your means.
- Think in decades, not days.
- Stay curious and keep learning.
- Maintain a sense of humor.
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