Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has significantly influenced understanding of diet and chronic disease risk through decades of research. In an article published on October 8 in the Washington Post, he shared details about his daily eating habits.
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Willett begins his day with a breakfast of steel-cut oats topped with yogurt, nuts, and fruit, typically blueberries, known for their potential protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases. He also enjoys a small glass of orange juice. For lunch, he prefers a plant-based meal, often opting for a large salad from the School’s salad bar or a sandwich made with whole grain bread, filled with peanut butter and a bit of jam or honey, accompanied by a carrot when dining at home. Dinner usually consists of chicken or fish, paired with vegetables, enjoyed with his wife.
Renowned as one of the most cited nutrition experts globally, Willett is the principal investigator of the Nurses’ Health Study and serves as co-chairman of the 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission, which focuses on developing healthy and sustainable food systems.
When asked for advice, he stated, "If I could put 40 years of research into one answer, it would be to eat a variety of healthy, mostly plant-based foods, and find a way to do it that’s enjoyable."