A Heart Surgeon Shares What He Eats in a Day

Jeremy London, MD, has over 25 years of experience as a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon. And as an expert in heart health, London has gained a social media following by sharing his diet and lifestyle recommendations. In a recent TikTok, we got a sneak peek of the heart surgeon’s daily routine, specifically the breakfast, lunch and dinner that help keep him energized on a busy work day.

From the first thing he drinks in the morning to the comforting dinner he ends the night with, here’s what a heart surgeon eats in a day. Plus, a dietitian weighs in on London’s choices.

Breakfast

London starts his day bright and early at 4:25 a.m., and gets straight to hydrating.

“[The] first thing in my body every morning,” he says as he pours himself a glass of tap water. He also adds a scoop of multivitamin powder into his water. While a multivitamin could help with boosting energy, getting enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein in your diet should be the priority for meeting your nutrient needs.

After a cold plunge (which can help reduce inflammation in the body if done responsibly), London drinks a cup of black coffee. This may surprise you, but coffee has been shown to have heart-healthy benefits—it can reduce heart disease risk by keeping you hydrated and decreasing your blood pressure. And a recent study showcased that drinking a cup of coffee every day could lower the risk of atrial fibrillation, especially in people who have been treated for it. 

He starts breakfast with an apple and a banana, and once he gets hungrier, London eats two pancakes made with egg whites, oats and bananas. The pancakes are topped with coconut yogurt mixed with protein powder, as well as a sprinkle of blueberries. This high-fiber, protein-packed breakfast is bound to keep the surgeon satisfied and energized until lunchtime.

Lunch

For lunch, London keeps it simple after a quick workout targeting his shoulder muscles. His main plate is a chicken and sweet potato rice bowl topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. On the side for a fiber boost, he has a small salad made with bell peppers, avocado and tomatoes and dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. And to satisfy his sweet tooth, he also has a serving of fresh fruit, which looks to be a mixture of kiwi, grapes, cantaloupe, pineapple and strawberries.

“I try to meal prep a ton of this so it’s just ready to go,” London explains. “[It] makes healthy food convenient…”

We’re a fan of London’s lunch, especially because it’s nutritious fuel after his quick afternoon workout. It’s clear that he gets a ton of different plants in his diet, and this plant diversity is essential to support your gut microbiome.

Dinner

London’s dinner is not so typical: “We’ve got a burger with an egg and avocado, and gluten-free pad thai noodles.” He pairs this meal with a glass of water.

We asked our senior nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, her thoughts on London’s typical day of eating. Here’s what she has to say:

“Overall, this sounds like a balanced eating pattern that works for London’s lifestyle, which is always great to see. While there are foods rich in fiber like avocados and fruits in this menu, I’d love to see a little more variety of vegetables, along with other fiber-rich foods like beans or whole grains besides oats,” Ball says. “It’s important to remember that healthy eating patterns can look a lot of different ways, and what works well for someone else might not necessarily be best for you. It’s more about finding what works for your lifestyle, preferences and goals—and keeping it flexible.” 

There’s no one-size-fits-all for healthy eating, so listen to your body and cater your meals to your needs and tastebuds. Based on his preferences, we think London would love recipes like our Greek Salad with Avocado and our Sweet Potato Pad Thai.