Adolf Hitler and vegetarianism facts for kids
Near the end of his life, Adolf Hitler (1889–1945), who was the leader of Nazi Germany, followed a vegetarian diet. It is not fully clear when or why he started this diet. Some reports from before World War II say he ate meat as late as 1937.
However, in 1938, Hitler's doctors put him on a meat-free diet. From 1942 onwards, he openly said he was a vegetarian. People who knew Hitler well said he did not eat meat during this time. Witnesses like Albert Speer even noted that Hitler would describe animal suffering at dinner. He did this to try and stop his friends from eating meat. In 2017, French scientists looked at Hitler's skull. They found no traces of meat in the tartar on his teeth.
Some experts today think Hitler's vegetarianism might have been for health reasons. Others suggest it was a reaction to a personal tragedy. But many people who knew him said he was vegetarian because he cared about animals. They noted he was often upset by images of animal cruelty. He was also against animal testing.
Contents
Hitler's Diet: Was He Vegetarian?
What People Said at the Time
Do you know that your Führer is a vegetarian, and that he does not eat meat because of his general attitude toward life and his love for the world of animals? Do you know that your Führer is an exemplary friend of animals, and even as a chancellor, he is not separated from the animals he has kept for years?...The Führer is an ardent opponent of any torture of animals, in particular vivisection, and has declared to terminate those conditions...thus fulfilling his role as the savior of animals, from continuous and nameless torments and pain.
In 1937, The New York Times newspaper wrote about Hitler's diet. It said, "It is well known that Hitler is a vegetarian and does not drink or smoke." The article added that his meals were mostly soup, eggs, vegetables, and mineral water. But it also mentioned he sometimes enjoyed a slice of ham or caviar.
In November 1938, an English magazine called Homes & Gardens described Hitler's mountain home, The Berghof. The article stated that Hitler was a non-drinker, a non-smoker, and a vegetarian. Ignatius Phayre wrote that Hitler's kitchen grew many different vegetables. He also said that Hitler, even with his meatless diet, was a bit of a gourmet. This surprised Sir John Simon and Anthony Eden when they ate with him. His chef, Herr Kannenberg, made many tasty vegetarian dishes that looked good and followed Hitler's strict diet rules.
Official Statements and Diaries
Written notes of conversations between Hitler and his close group were translated by Hugh Trevor-Roper. These talks happened between July 1941 and November 1944. They show that Hitler saw himself as a vegetarian. These conversations were collected in a book called Hitler's Table Talk.
- On November 11, 1941, Hitler said, "One may regret living at a period when it's impossible to form an idea of the shape the world of the future will assume. But there's one thing I can predict to eaters of meat: the world of the future will be vegetarian."
- On January 12, 1942, he stated, "The only thing of which I shall be incapable is to share the sheiks' mutton with them. I'm a vegetarian, and they must spare me from their meat."
On April 26, 1942, Joseph Goebbels, a close associate of Hitler, wrote in his diary that Hitler was a strong vegetarian. Goebbels wrote that Hitler believed eating meat was bad for people. He also noted that Hitler planned to address this issue after the war.
In his table talks on April 25, 1942, Hitler discussed vegetarianism. He talked about Roman soldiers eating fruits and grains. He also spoke about the importance of raw vegetables. He used scientific ideas and observations from nature to support his views. Hitler also did not like cosmetics because they contained animal products. He often joked with Eva Braun about her makeup.
Personal Stories and Witnesses
Hitler tolerated [Marlene von Exner]'s reproaches and remained kindly and thoughtful. He liked her lively manner, was very fond of Viennese puddings, and admired her skill in making vegetarian soups that tasted better than meat broth. He couldn’t guess that poor Marlene was unhappy about his modest demands. With Antonescu, despite his diet, she had been able to revel in lobster, mayonnaise, caviar and other delicacies, and she had cooked fine dinners for festive receptions. But Hitler, as usual, wanted nothing but his one-pot dishes, carrots with potatoes. 'He’ll never thrive on food like this,’ she wailed, and she simmered a bone in his soup now and then.
Everyone who knew about Hitler's diet from 1942 onwards agreed he was a vegetarian. However, reports about his diet before World War II are not always the same. Some say he ate meat.
- Dione Lucas, a chef at a hotel Hitler visited before the war, said her stuffed squab (a young pigeon) was one of his favorites.
- According to Ilse Hess (wife of Rudolf Hess), in 1937, Hitler stopped eating meat except for liver dumplings.
- Rochus Misch, who was Hitler's bodyguard from 1940, said he saw Hitler eat meat only once in five years. This happened during a train ride in 1941.
Food Tasters and Secretaries
Margot Wölk, who became Hitler's unwilling food taster in 1942, said all the food she tested for him was vegetarian. She remembered no meat or fish.
Traudl Junge, who became Hitler's secretary in 1942, said he "always avoided meat." But she noted that his Austrian cook sometimes added a little animal broth or fat to his meals. Junge said, "Mostly the Fuehrer would notice the attempt at deception, would get very annoyed and then get tummy ache." She added that in the end, he would only let the cook make him clear soup and mashed potatoes. Also, Marlene von Exner, who became Hitler's dietitian in 1943, reportedly added bone marrow to his soups without his knowledge. She did this because she did not like his vegetarian diet.
Scientific Findings
In 2017, the Russian Federal Security Service allowed French scientists to examine Hitler's bones. An analysis of the tartar on Hitler's teeth and dentures found no traces of meat fiber. Forensic pathologist Philippe Charlier, who led the study, said this showed the dictator was vegetarian.
Even though Hitler followed a vegetarian diet, his doctor, Theodor Morell, gave him many unusual medicines. These medicines sometimes contained animal products. For example, they included extracts from animal glands, which some people at the time thought were "elixirs of youth." It is not known if Hitler asked for these or just accepted them.
See also
In Spanish: Vegetarianismo de Adolf Hitler para niños
