Laird Hamilton (61) Still Looks 25! I Just Don’t Eat These 5 Foods
He’s 61 years old and still paddles into 60-foot waves like it’s just another Tuesday.
His skin? Smooth.
His body? Built like a pro athlete in his prime.
His energy? More 25-year-old than senior citizen.
What’s his secret?
It’s not magic. Not surgery. Not some Hollywood hack.
It’s what Laird Hamilton doesn’t eat.
Today, we’re breaking down the five foods Laird Hamilton refuses to touch to stay ripped, energized, and biologically young.
We’ll also dive into what he does eat, how he trains, and the habits that help him perform like a superhuman at any age.
And trust me—you’ll want to hear what we reveal at the end of this video about Laird’s body. It’s jaw-dropping.
Let’s get into it.
Who is Laird Hamilton?
Laird Hamilton isn’t just a surfer—he’s a legend.
The man who pushed the limits of what’s possible on a wave.
But beyond the surf, Laird is a full-on performance machine.
His body and mindset have been studied by scientists, respected by Navy SEALs, and copied by health fanatics worldwide.
What makes him different isn’t just how hard he trains—it’s how he’s kept that edge for decades.
While most guys slow down at 40, Laird is still going harder than ever at 61.
He often says: “Age is a decision, not a condition.”
And that decision starts with your plate.
Food #1: Processed Sugar
Laird doesn’t touch processed sugar. Period.
No sodas. No candy. No desserts. Even most protein bars? Out.
Why? Sugar causes chronic inflammation, spikes insulin, and accelerates skin aging from the inside out.
According to Laird, sugar drains your energy, wrecks your metabolism, and triggers everything from joint pain to brain fog.
His alternatives? Natural energy sources like coconut water, a little fruit, and fat-based fuels like MCT oil and nut butters.
And once you detox from sugar, he says, your body stops craving it—and starts running like a well-oiled machine.
Food #2: Refined Grains & Wheat
White bread, pasta, cereal, baked goods—none of it’s allowed in the Hamilton household.
Laird calls refined grains “empty calories” that inflame your gut and tank your performance.
He’s not anti-carb—he’s just carb smart.
His go-tos? Quinoa, sweet potatoes, and squash.
Why? They’re nutrient-rich, high in fiber, and won’t spike your blood sugar through the roof.
When you train like Laird, you don’t want food that slows you down.
You want fuel.
Food #3: Industrial Seed Oils
This is the one most people miss—but Laird’s laser-focused on avoiding them.
No canola, soybean, sunflower, or corn oil. Ever.
These oils are ultra-processed, go rancid fast, and are packed with inflammatory omega-6 fats.
They’re linked to everything from heart disease to brain fog and belly fat.
Instead, Laird sticks to clean, anti-inflammatory fats:
Virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed olive oil, grass-fed ghee, avocados, and nuts.
His philosophy?
Eat fats made by nature, not by chemists.
Food #4: Conventional Dairy
Milk? Rarely.
Store-bought cheese? Almost never.
Ice cream? Forget it.
Laird avoids most mass-produced dairy because it’s loaded with hormones, antibiotics, and inflammatory compounds.
But he’s not anti-dairy entirely—just particular.
When he does include dairy, it’s raw, organic, and from grass-fed animals.
His one regular exception? Grass-fed whey protein.
But only as a recovery tool, not a daily habit.
For creaminess and texture, he turns to coconut, almond, and other plant-based options.
Food #5: Fried Foods
This one seems obvious—but Laird takes it to the extreme.
Fried chicken, French fries, fast food—all banned.
It’s not just about calories.
Fried foods are soaked in toxic oils that damage your cells, clog arteries, and age your skin fast.
Instead, he grills, steams, or sautés using clean fats and whole ingredients.
As he puts it:
“You can train like a beast, but if you eat fried junk—you’ll feel like junk.”
So What Does Laird Eat?
Now that you know what he avoids—what fuels Laird Hamilton’s machine?
Breakfast: Superfood Coffee
Laird starts his day at 5 a.m. with a powerhouse coffee blend—not your average brew.
It’s infused with MCT oil, coconut cream, turmeric, and functional mushrooms.
This keeps him fasted, energized, and in fat-burning mode for early workouts.
Post-Workout Meal: Muscle Recovery
After training, he eats to rebuild:
Pasture-raised eggs, a scoop of quinoa, or high-protein yogurt topped with almond butter.
No toast. No jam. Just pure fuel for recovery.
Mid-Morning Detox
Around mid-morning, Laird sips a tonic of turmeric juice, apple cider vinegar, and lemon water.
This combo boosts metabolism, fights inflammation, and supports digestion.
Lunch: Sushi, Greens & Fruit
Lunch is light but potent.
Usually sushi or sashimi made from local fish, tons of greens, and sometimes fresh coconut water.
He skips the rice—focusing instead on the omega-3s and antioxidants from raw ingredients.
Dinner: Protein + Veggies
Dinner is his biggest meal.
Think wild-caught fish or grass-fed steak, plus roasted veggies, steamed greens, and a giant salad loaded with olive oil and seeds.
No grains. No sugar. Just real food—straight from the earth.
Snacks: Nuts & Seeds
When he snacks, it’s cashews or macadamia nuts—not chips or cookies.
His rule: snack on fuel, not filler.
Supplements: Minimal But Powerful
Laird’s food-first—but he uses a few smart supplements:
Brain-boosting nootropics with ingredients like ginkgo, bacopa, and phosphatidylserine for memory and focus.
Grass-fed whey protein for post-workout recovery.
A vitamin C and greens blend for antioxidants and immune support—especially on busy days.
Nothing crazy—just what works.
Laird’s Weekly Workout Routine
Laird trains like a savage—but he’s also strategic.
It’s not about lifting heavy for ego—it’s about building a body that performs under pressure and recovers with power.
Mon/Wed/Fri: Strength & Circuits
Full-body strength circuits using dumbbells, kettlebells, bands, and bodyweight movements.
No long rest periods—just relentless effort.
Exercises include:
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Planks for core and posture
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Goblet squats for legs and hips
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Overhead presses for shoulders
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Pulldowns for back strength
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Russian twists for core rotation
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Kettlebell swings for explosive hips
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Barbell rows to build the posterior chain
Each workout: 45 minutes of focused, functional training.
Tues/Thurs/Sun: Cardio, Mobility & Nature
These are movement-based recovery days.
Mountain biking for endurance.
Sand dune sprints for explosive power.
Underwater weight training to build lung strength and control.
And of course—surfing and paddleboarding to stay sharp in his element.
Saturday: Active Recovery
Recovery doesn’t mean lying on the couch.
Laird does sauna, cold plunges, light yoga, and ocean swims to flush out inflammation and restore balance.
As he says:
“If you don’t rest—you won’t grow.”
That’s why his body isn’t breaking down at 61.
It’s thriving.
The Shocking Truth About Laird’s Body
Here’s the kicker:
At 61 years old, Laird Hamilton has never had a major surgery.
No knee replacements. No shoulder injuries. No chronic pain.
Despite decades of punishing physical activity.
Why?
Because he eliminated the things that cause long-term breakdown:
Sugar. Fried food. Seed oils. Inflammatory grains. Conventional dairy.
He fuels for performance, not convenience.
And his body has rewarded him with elite-level resilience.
You don’t have to surf monster waves or live in Hawaii to look and feel like Laird.
What you do need?
Discipline. Awareness. And the guts to say no to foods that slowly destroy your edge.
Start with one.
Cut the sugar. Ditch the fried stuff. Swap toxic oils for coconut oil.
Make one decision at a time—and the transformation will follow.
Are you willing to give up one of these five foods for the next 30 days?
Drop a comment below and let us know which one’s the hardest for you.
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Until next time—stay strong, stay curious, and never stop evolving.