Prince William’s 1 strict diet rule to avoid ‘agitation’ in his 40s

The Prince and Princess of Wales take pride in keeping themselves healthy, with the pair both being especially sporty and eating a balanced diet. For Prince William, taking care of his diet has become increasingly important as he has got older, and it seems that he’s made some dietary changes in his 40s to preserve his good health. 

Though the 43-year-old has access to some of the greatest cooking in the world, whether that’s the most refined and luxurious food at the lavish state banquets or the fresh produce from his father King Charles’ Duchy, he previously confessed to having a rather “rubbish” diet of lunches and dinners.

However, as he has become older and more aware of his health, the father-of-three has had to cut some foods out of his diet for both his mental and physical health. For example, he used to enjoy two to three cups in the morning for an energy boost, but recently revealed that this is no longer the case.

As part of a panel discussion on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks hosted by Greg James on Wednesday, 18 February, he explained: “If I drink coffee, I get completely bananas. There’s too much caffeine, caffeine gets me really agitated, actually. If I overdo the caffeine, I definitely feel it during the day.”

Why has Prince William cut coffee?

Hannah Alderson, a BANT-registered nutritionist and hormone specialist, previously spoke exclusively to HELLO! about the science behind caffeine and cortisol, and the impact that caffeine can have on our hormones.

“Caffeine can trigger the adrenal glands to release more cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone,” the nutrition expert explained. “This can be helpful in the short term for alertness and focus, but when combined with chronic stress and elevated levels of cortisol, it can push cortisol levels higher than ideal and leave us stuck in that wired yet tired spot. Think of it a little like fuel on the fire, if an individual is stressed.”

Daniel O’Shaughnessy, a certified functional medicine practitioner and mindset coach with more than fifteen years of clinical experience, also spoke to HELLO!, explaining the hormonal effects that coffee can have on us.

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“Caffeine blocks adenosine, the neurotransmitter that helps us feel calm and sleepy, which increases alertness but also stimulates adrenaline and raises the stress hormone cortisol,” he told us. “In people who are stress-sensitive, anxious, or sleep-deprived, that can feel like agitation or jitteriness. Our genetics also influence how we respond to caffeine.”

Daniel shared that many people give up coffee like Prince William due to “anxiety, poor sleep, digestive irritation, heart palpitations” and a growing feeling of dependence. Some also give it up because they find that they no longer need the “artificial lift” it gives after their blood sugar and sleep have stabilised.

If you’re also looking to give up or slow down on the coffee, the expert suggested his choice of lower-caffeine alternatives: “Green tea and matcha provide caffeine with L-theanine, which tends to feel smoother and less jittery. Yerba maté is another option, though still stimulating.

“For very low or no caffeine, chicory coffee, roasted dandelion root, or adaptogenic blends can offer a ritual and mild lift without the same impact on the nervous system,” he concluded.