#21: James Buchanan – Sauerkraut

A worldly and cultured man, James Buchanan carried his global tastes into the White House. Surprisingly, his favorite dish wasn’t tied to his Scottish and Irish roots but rather to German cuisine: sauerkraut. Despite lacking any German heritage, Buchanan had a deep fondness for the tangy, fermented cabbage, even referring to it as a “classical dish.”

He enjoyed sauerkraut so frequently that it became a staple in his diet. However, his overall eating habits left much to be desired, and his poor nutritional choices are thought to have contributed to his declining health over time. Even a president’s palate isn’t without its pitfalls!