What Does Queen Elizabeth Eat? Monarch's No-Frills Diet Includes Chocolate And No Carbs

Queen Elizabeth II is known for her particular standards, from the clothes she wears to the lipstick she applies. So it should really come as no surprise that the monarch’s food preferences are somewhat exacting.

The Independent released a list of Elizabeth’s daily preferred foods and dietary habits Tuesday – and it revealed that just because she is the Queen of England does not mean she is always inclined to indulge in a rich meal.

To begin the day, Elizabeth opts for classic tea (Early Grey) and biscuits. While she does sometimes eat toast and marmalade later in the day, a former royal chef, Darren McGrady, told the Telegraph in 2015 that the queen “is not a foodie. She eats to live.” She was also said to be strict in her dietary habits, according to McGrady. McGrady was a personal chef to both Elizabeth and Diana Princess of Wales.

“When she dines on her own,” McGrady said, “she’s very disciplined. No starch is the rule. No potatoes, rice or pasta for dinner.” He mentioned that grilled fish with vegetables were another common meal for her to eat.

To indulge, Elizabeth also prefers scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and just a bit of truffle grated over it (although she was also said to have been too frugal to order more truffles at one point).

Elizabeth also favors salads with grilled chicken. Of course, she also has an afternoon tea. Painstakingly cut finger sandwiches – which could include smoked salmon, cucumber, or ham and mustard – were a typical favorite.

Dinners could also feature fillets of beef, pheasant or venison. However, Elizabeth, no doubt, could make exceptions for state dinners and special receptions.

Monday evening she hosted a high-profile reception at Buckingham Palace in honor of the launch of the U.K.-India Year of Culture 2017. The event included a dinner where the menu included British and Indian food, People Magazine reported. The royal chef Mark Flanagan helped to create a menu that featured dishes like Yorkshire rhubarb crème brulee and a Tandoori Prawn Cocktail.