“My philosophy is eat to live. Don’t live to eat,” Serena once said while talking to Women’s Health during a Nintendo gaming event.
And she was spot on, wasn’t she? Reaching GOAT status in any sport isn’t just about relentless training and mastering your craft, a disciplined diet plays just as much of a role. But even the most dedicated athletes have their moments of indulgence with food! Despite being known for her strict food regimen, Serena recently shared a hilariously relatable car ride moment that any true foodie would appreciate. So, what went down?
We’ve all heard stories of Serena Williams’ legendary food cravings. Who could forget when she had such an intense craving for Italian food that her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, whisked her off to Venice just for a plate of fresh pasta? Well, that was back in 2018, a mere 18 months after their fateful first meeting at a hotel in Rome. With their ten-month-old daughter, Alexis Olympia, in tow, the couple jetted off to Italy all because the former Olympic Gold winner needed the real deal. Alexis even shared a picture of their adventure, humorously captioning it, “She wanted Italian for dinner, so…” with the geotag proudly marking ‘Venezia, Italia. Now that’s commitment!

And let’s not forget her pregnancy cravings in 2017. Back then, it was Alexis once again on duty, making a surprise grocery run to Publix to satisfy Serena’s very specific veggie cravings. “I was told there would be cravings. I was not told they would be these,” Ohanian quipped while filming himself in the vegetable aisle. “Zucchini, asparagus and…what’s this one called again? Artichoke. There we go. Really? These are her cravings. It’s amazing.” Turns out Serena was all about the ‘greens’ during her first pregnancy.
Fast forward to today, almost 3 years into her retirement from tennis, and Serena just showed us how she handles cravings solo. A few hours ago, the 23-time GS champion took to IG to share a series of hilarious stories. The first? A ‘contemplative shot’ of her staring out of her car window. What about the second? A suspenseful caption: “3 minutes later…” while building up the anticipation. And then, the grand reveal: Serena Williams, caught mid-bite, devouring a burger, with the camera perfectly capturing her priceless expression. Even off the court, she’s still serving up gold, this time as a pure foodie!
While Serena may indulge in cravings on the go, her shift to a plant-based diet has been a game-changer since 2011. She’s been redefining nutrition, keeping her body fueled beyond the court. In a campaign for JUST Egg, she shared her journey and the powerful reason behind embracing a cleaner, plant-powered lifestyle.
“I started trying [plant-based foods] years ago. The reason I started was because my sister, Venus, was diagnosed with Sjögren’s, and when we lived together, she changed her diet. I remember thinking, ‘I can’t bring all this bad food into the house,’ so I changed my diet as well. I realized that I didn’t feel weaker, I didn’t feel like [my body] was missing something, and I actually had a lot of energy,” Serena said.
But that’s not all! Lately, Serena Williams has been quite active on her social media, not just sharing her foodie moments but also reminding us what genuine friendship looks like. Only a few days ago, she gave a shout-out to a very special friend.
Serena Williams and Meghan Markle have shared an unbreakable friendship since 2010, and for friends, Serena never misses a chance to show up. Ahead of the grand premiere of ‘With Love, Meghan’ on March 4, the tennis icon made sure to shower Meghan with love and support, paying a visit to her home and even spending precious moments playing with little Princess Lilibet.
And it didn’t stop there! The former tennis ace then took to her IG stories, proving her unwavering support for Meghan’s Netflix venture. Sharing a clip of her TV screen streaming Two Kids from LA, the third episode of the series, Serena gave her nod to Meghan’s latest project. This 38-minute episode features the Duchess teaming up with “LA-born Korean-American” chef Roy Choi, diving into the rich flavors of Korean cuisine. In a testament to their enduring friendship, Serena publicly acknowledged Meghan in her post, adding a heart emoji as a symbol of their decade-long bond.
Even before the premiere, Serena promoted her friend and expressed love for the Duchess of Sussex: “I’m so excited for you to check out ‘WITH LOVE, MEGHAN,’ now streaming exclusively on Netflix! Join my wonderful friend @meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, as she opens up her world and shares her personal tips for the kitchen, garden, and so much more. It’s a fun and inspiring series that reminds us all how easy it is to bring a little beauty into our everyday lives, even when we least expect it. Can’t wait for you to experience it! 💖,” Serena wrote on Instagram.
Serena Williams often gives her fans glimpses of her daily life, whether it’s indulging in her ‘foodie cravings’ or standing by her best friend. However, one can’t help but wonder: Could a surprise comeback on the court for an exhibition match be possible anytime soon?