What Does the Oldest Person in the World Eat?
Susannah Mushatt Jones is currently the oldest person in the world. (Photo: Getty Images)
What does the oldest person in the world eat?
In the case of Susannah Mushatt Jones, who on Thursday became the oldest person in the world, it’s four strips of bacon with eggs and grits for breakfast. On Sunday, there’s a barbecue feast. And when Time.com spoke to her this week and informed Mushatt of her new title, she had just finished a dinner of steamed chicken, baked potato, collard greens, and raspberry Jell-O.
Jeralean Talley held the title for oldest person in the world. (Photo: Getty Images)
The eating habits of the oldest person in the world are often closely watched. The previous title holder, Jeralean Talley, died Thursday in Michigan. Talley lived to the ripe age of 116 on a diet of potato salad, honey buns, McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and Wendy’s chili. She would also eat lots of fish, vegetables, and fruit (blueberries, cantaloupe, and strawberries, to name a few). She ditched butter about 10 years ago.
Gertrude Weaver lived to be 116 years old. (Photo: AP)
Before Talley came Gertrude Weaver, of Arkansas, who died just six days after snagging the title of oldest person in the world at age 116. She credited her longevity to eating meals that she cooked herself.
Misao Okawa was once the oldest person in the world. Photo: Guinness Book of World Records
And before Weaver, 117-year-old Misao Okawa of Japan held the title. She told the Japan Times that, “eating delicious things is a key to my longevity.” She said she loved ramen noodles and beef stew, as well as hashed beef and rice. Her favorite meal was sushi, and she would eat “mackerel on vinegar-steamed rice… at least once every month.“
Need a dose of health? Try these wholesome recipes:
This kale and farro salad is chock full of nutrients
What meat? This salad will steal the show at your next barbecue
3-ingredient strawberry smoothie recipe
Know anyone who lived to 100? Tell us about them below!
