Key Points:
- Bill eats whenever he feels hungry and tries never to eat too much as part of his intuitive eating style.
- The supplements that Bill takes include NAD+, caffeine, peptides, homocysteine, vitamin D, and vitamin C.
At 55, Bill Maeda has obtained a seemingly unattainable physique, and in an interview with Thomas DeLauer, he makes it clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health and longevity. The following is a closer look at how Bill maintains a low body fat percentage while living an intuitive, flexible lifestyle.
Diet
Bill’s diet philosophy centers around intuitive eating, a practice that relies on listening to his body rather than following rigid rules. He eats only when he genuinely feels hungry, and he is careful not to overeat. Instead of eating until he is stuffed, Bill stops when he feels “not hungry” and waits for his body to tell him when it is time for the next meal. His rule of thumb? He eats when he feels his cheeks starting to “suck in a little,” indicating it’s time to refuel.
However, it is not all random. Before workouts, Bill sometimes consumes high-glycemic foods that spike insulin and provide quick energy, such as sugary snacks or simple carbs. These are not unnecessary indulgences but carefully timed snacks that support the energy demands of an explosive workout. This approach allows him to make use of foods that might otherwise be avoided in fitness circles.
Despite his unorthodox eating style, Bill has certain dietary staples that he sticks to. He often eats red meat, white rice, and a variety of fruits, finding these foods give him sustained energy and help him feel satisfied for longer periods. Fruits like mango and strawberries are regular parts of his meals, providing natural sugars and essential nutrients.
Notably, Bill does not meticulously count grams of protein, carbs, or fats. Instead, he uses an instinctual approach, letting his body guide him on how much he needs to eat. This method is unusual in the fitness world, where tracking macros is common, but it works for him, keeping his diet low-stress and sustainable.
Supplements
Peptides
In addition to his unique diet, Bill uses peptides to support recovery. After a colon cancer surgery left his digestive system compromised, Bill found that the peptides BPC-157 and TB-500 helped alleviate some of his gut issues. However, he periodically takes breaks from peptides to avoid over-reliance, recently resuming them after a few months off. He also makes clear that he does not take any performance-enhancing drugs, such as testosterone replacement therapy or human growth hormone.
Caffeine
When it comes to oral supplements, Bill is a self-professed caffeine enthusiast, sometimes consuming 500 mg a day. Coffee has been a staple in his diet since his early days working as a barista in Hawaii. His relationship with caffeine is balanced—while he is likely dependent, he does not experience negative side effects like headaches if he skips a day. However, the heavy caffeine consumption may affect Bill’s ability to sleep before 10:00 pm, one of his main focuses as of late.
Vitamins
In addition to peptides and caffeine, Bill takes a homocysteine multivitamin. Based on an Instagram post, he may take Homocysteine Supreme, which like other homocysteine multivitamins, contains B vitamins that convert homocysteine to methionine and cysteine, which are important for brain health. Bill also takes the ester form of vitamin C, which may increase the concentration of vitamin C within cells more than normal vitamin C. Moreover, Bill takes vitamin D3, which boosts immune health, along with vitamin C.
NAD+
Bill takes NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme that mediates the conversion of cellular energy and participates in hundreds of cellular interactions that promote cell survival. It is unclear which form of NAD+ Bill takes, although most people opt for the NAD+ precursors NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) or nicotinamide riboside (NR), which can be taken orally and are converted to NAD+ in the body. More than likely he takes NR, based on the aforementioned Instagram post.
Redefining Health and Fitness
Bill Maeda’s lifestyle is a testament to the power of listening to one’s body. He defies conventional wisdom with his intuitive, flexible approach to health, showing that there is not a single formula for achieving a lean, muscular physique. Through a combination of high metabolism, smart food choices, strategic indulgence, and a balanced approach to supplements, Bill has created a lifestyle that not only supports his physical goals but is also enjoyable and sustainable. For those looking to find a more personal and relaxed path to health, Bill’s approach offers valuable insights and inspiration.