Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 10, 2025 · Entertainment

Elvis Presley's Shocking Diet: From Protein Urine Injections to Coma Diets

It's been 52 years since Elvis Presley's unceremonious death, with the singer's lethal deep-fried diet almost as famous as his music. Elvis is pictured in 1970

The King's Tumultuous Relationship with Food: A Glimpse into Elvis' Infamous Diet

It's been 52 years since the world lost its beloved "King of Rock 'n Roll," Elvis Presley, but his legacy continues to fascinate us to this day. While his music and fashion sense have stood the test of time, it's his infamous diet that has become a topic of both amusement and concern for many. In this article, we'll delve into the wild world of Elvis' eating habits, from his love of fried sandwiches and bacon-wrapped meatballs to his ill-fated attempts at crash diets.

The King's Love Affair with Fried Foods

The Hound Dog singer was a huge fan of Southern cooking and fried food, having been grown up around it but too poor to indulge in it as a child. He's pictured in 1973

Elvis was known to have a weakness for Southern-style cooking, and his favorite dishes often featured an excessive amount of fried goodness. One of his go-to breakfast spots, the Colorado Mine Company in Denver, served up a behemoth of a sandwich called the Fool's Gold Loaf – a sourdough bread hollowed out and stuffed with peanut butter, grape jam, and an entire pound of bacon! It's no wonder that Elvis and his friends once bought 30 of these monstrosities on a private jet.

Another favorite of the King's was the peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich – often slathered in butter for good measure. This caloric bomb had over 1,000 calories per serving, almost half of the recommended daily intake for men! It's no wonder that Elvis' weight ballooned to an astonishing 350 pounds at his heaviest.

The Weighty Issue

When the King of Rock 'n Roll died at only 42, he had battled with intense drug, alcohol, and food addictions, which is believed to have contributed to his death. He's pictured in 1970

Elvis' love-hate relationship with food began in his teenage years when he was still struggling to make a name for himself as a musician. His early days of poverty had meant sacrificing the pleasures of fried foods, but once he hit the big time, he went all out – indulging in massive breakfasts complete with sausage, bacon, eggs, and fried potatoes.

As he gained weight, so did the ridicule from the press, who dubbed him "Fat Elvis." This was a hurtful blow to his sensitive ego, but one that only fueled his determination to shed pounds. In 1973, Elvis underwent a series of crash diets in an attempt to lose 25 pounds. His girlfriend at the time, Linda Thompson, recalled that he would often go for days on end eating as few as 500 calories.

The Dark Side of Dieting

One of the star's favorite meals included a bacon, banana and peanut butter sandwich had over 1,000 calories per serving. Elvis is pictured in 1969 in Las Vegas

One of Elvis' most infamous diets involved injecting himself with a protein taken from pregnant women's urine – all in an attempt to burn off excess fat. This "sleeping beauty diet," where the patient is put into a medically induced coma, has been widely condemned as both ineffective and highly dangerous.

Elvis' own doctor even tried this diet on him in the 1970s, but it backfired spectacularly when Elvis fell out of bed and woke himself up. It's clear that Elvis' relationship with food was far from healthy – a fact highlighted by his toxicology reports after his untimely death.

The Autopsy Report: A Haunting Glimpse into the King's Final Hours

His private chef, Mary Jenkins Langston, who cooked for Elvis for 14 years, shared details about his rich breakfasts, which were often covered in butter

Elvis died on August 16, 1977, in his Graceland mansion. The official cause of death was listed as a heart attack, but many speculate that his years of indulgent eating and prescription drug abuse played a significant role.

The autopsy report revealed an astonishing 14 different substances present in Elvis' system at the time of his death – with 10 of those being in significant quantities. This cocktail included pethidine (an opioid painkiller), barbiturates, and amphetamines. It's clear that Elvis was struggling with addiction long before his untimely passing.

A Legacy of Excess

Elvis was known to love a fried breakfast, which included: sausages, bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, home-baked rolls, and coffee. He's pictured in 1973

While Elvis' diet may have been a wild ride for the King himself, it serves as a cautionary tale for all of us. His inability to resist the temptation of fried foods and excessive portions led him down a path of yo-yo weight loss and ill-fated diets – ultimately contributing to his tragic demise.

As we reflect on the life and times of Elvis Presley, let's remember that even the most iconic figures can fall victim to our darkest habits. So next time you're tempted by that extra helping of bacon or peanut butter, take a page from the King's book: moderation is key – no matter how rich your life may be.

Sources:

HIs love for deep fried food was noted in James Gregory’s 1960 biography of Elvis. Photo of Elvis in Las Vegas during a concert in December of 1975 two years before his death

HIs ex-girlfriend Linda Thompson recalled the singing superstar going on a crash diet in a bid to lose 25 pounds in the mid-70s. Elvis is pictured in 1977 before his death

Linda, who eventually broke up with Elvis due to infidelity, told CNN as he gained weight the criticism surrounding it started to bother him. He's pictured in 1977