When you think of James Martin, you probably imagine sizzling steaks, creamy sauces, and, of course, generous helpings of butter. But in a surprising twist, the much-loved British chef has recently shed three stone—that’s over 40 pounds—all without giving up his favorite indulgence: butter.
At 52, James isn’t rushing to the gym or drinking kale smoothies by the gallon. Instead, his transformation came down to making honest changes to his lifestyle while still staying true to his love for great-tasting food. And yes, he still eats butter—but more on that in a bit.
Let’s dive into how James Martin really did it, what he eats now, and why his weight loss had nothing to do with fitness fads or flashy diets.
What Made James Martin Decide to Lose Weight?
It turns out, the turning point wasn’t about appearances or even health scares. For James, it all came down to cars. Yep—racing cars.
Speaking on the podcast “Spooning with Mark Wogan,” James confessed that his love for motor racing played a huge part in why he decided to make a change. “I actually struggle to get out of them now,” he joked. “Getting in them, you kind of fall in them, but then you’ve got to get out of them—and it just doesn’t look very good.”
That moment of self-awareness triggered something. It wasn’t about diets or fitting into smaller clothes. It was about moving freely, being active, and doing what he loves—comfortably.
What Does James Martin Eat Now?
If you’re expecting salads and smoothies, think again.
James has no interest in restrictive eating. He’s a chef, after all. His meals are still full of flavor, just with a few smart tweaks.
In a recent interview, James shared that 80% of his current diet is fish. That’s a big change from the meat-heavy, butter-rich meals he’s known for. But instead of cutting out the foods he loves, he’s added more variety and balance.
“I’m a farmer’s kid,” James said. “I like pure food. I like simple food. And I just love great ingredients.”
His weight loss isn’t about cutting calories or carbs—it’s about listening to your body and using real ingredients.
What’s James Martin’s Favorite Healthy Breakfast?
You might think someone who’s dropped three stone would start their day with porridge and berries. But not James.
He revealed that his go-to breakfast is grilled tomatoes on toast.
That’s it. Two ingredients. Simple, rustic, and delicious.
“It’s very simple and very tasty,” he said. And that’s what James is all about—food that’s comforting, flavorful, and easy to make.
He’s also a big fan of barbecued leeks with lardons and hazelnuts, a dish he picked up while traveling through Spain. That visit inspired his new cookbook James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, where he highlights regional flavors and ingredients he discovered along the way.
Did He Give Up Butter?
Absolutely not.
James Martin and butter go together like salt and pepper. In fact, he’s so obsessed with it that he literally wrote a book dedicated to the ingredient. The 517-page cookbook titled Butter is a love letter to the richness and versatility of, well, butter.
While many chefs were jumping on the clean-eating trend, James proudly stood by his favorite ingredient.
“I brought out a book on butter when everyone else was doing health food,” he said, with his usual cheeky grin.
So how does he still eat butter and lose weight?
Moderation. Instead of drowning dishes in it, he uses it where it matters—just enough to enhance the flavor without going overboard. And when 80% of your diet is fish and vegetables, there’s room for a bit of butter.
Is He Hitting the Gym Every Day?
Not a chance.
James is refreshingly honest about his dislike of the gym.
“I don’t go,” he says bluntly.
Instead, he relies on staying active through work and daily life. Between filming TV shows, managing his restaurants, and traveling for his cookbooks, he’s constantly on the move. That, combined with a cleaner diet, has helped him keep the weight off.
He even jokes that his ability to get in and out of race cars is his personal fitness test.
What Can We Learn from James Martin’s Transformation?
James Martin’s weight loss journey is one we can all learn from—not because he followed a strict meal plan or hired a personal trainer, but because he made realistic, sustainable changes.
He didn’t sacrifice flavor. He didn’t become a different person. He simply adjusted his diet to support the life he wants to live—full of movement, flavor, and joy.
So if you’re looking to get healthier, maybe don’t start with a gym membership or fad diet. Instead, take a page from James Martin’s book:
- Eat simple, whole foods
- Move in ways that feel good
- And yes, keep the butter if it brings you joy
Because good food should be something we enjoy—not something we fear.
