Carrie Underwood Reveals 800-Calorie Starvation On 'American Idol'

Gettyimages | Erika Goldring

Carrie Underwood has revealed that she was on a starvation diet during her time on "American Idol." The 36-year-old country superstar made the reveal as she spoke to Women's Health Mag this week – the star is also fronting the magazine ahead of her wellness book release, plus its accompanying Fit52 app.

Speaking to Women's Health, Carrie opened up about her diet over one decade ago – Carrie famously won "American Idol" back in 2005. Instagram may not have been around all those years ago, but online trolls were.

Gettyimages | Marc Andrew Deley

The interview saw Carrie speak of her youth, including characterizing herself as both a vegetarian and a "wannabe vegan." The blonde spoke of the moment she recalled giving up beef aged 13, then speaking about her eating habits as she competed on the popular "American Idol" series.

"Carrie's getting fat," she read on an online message board.

“I shouldn’t care what other people think about me,” Carrie said, then speaking of the "quesadillas and pastas" she admitted she was relying on.

“I was tired, and I kept buying bigger clothes. I knew I could be better for myself, and I let my haters be my motivators," she added.

Carrie Underwood/Instagram

Carrie proved honest, admitting that restricting her calorie intake felt good at first.

"I was sleeping better, and I had more energy for our grueling schedule," she said of the post-win times – at this point, Carrie was already checking food labels and counting calories, alongside recording her time spent on an elliptical machine.

Carrie took it further, dropping her intake to just 800 calories per day – most health websites clock this figure as a starvation diet. The star does not, however, consider that she suffered from an eating disorder – "I really would not call it that," she said.

Carrie Underwood/Instagram

Carrie also admitted to over-eating as her body struggled with the mostly-low calorie intake. The average woman requires 2,000 calories per day – more if she's leading a particularly active lifestyle.

"I would fall off the wagon," Carrie continued, adding she'd "feel terrible and repeat the cycle."

"Your body is screaming out, I need more calories, I need more carbs!" she said.

Right now, Carrie is in the best shape of her life. Her jaw-dropping workout body is muscle galore, and her intake is, as she told Women's Health, 45% carbs, 30% fat, and 25% protein.

Carrie Underwood/Instagram

Carrie further revealed her diet today. The star kicks off the day with a pre-workout tofu or egg-white scramble with Ezekiel toast, berries, and coffee. Her lunches are often Tofurky sandwiches with healthy tomatoes, avocado, and red onion, plus spinach and mustard. Dinner might be roasted vegetables and vegan chicken or a tofu stiry-fry, with snacks proving equally healthy – a green smoothie or a protein bar.

Carrie did state that her vice is red wine, though. "It's good for my heartk right?!" she said, laughing. She'll unwind with a glass of red, plus indulge in "The Bachelor."

Carrie's new book, "Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong With Fit52Life" drops March 3.