When Rachael Ray announced that she had a special surprise on her talk show Thursday, the audience roared with delight when former President Bill Clinton strutted onto the stage. Clinton dished on topics ranging from why he’s no longer a vegan to addressing rumors that Hillary will run for president. And he also showed his softer side by telling Rachael just how much he loves being a first-time grandfather.

For years, the former president was one of the world’s most famous celebrity vegans. Why did he end his plant-based diet?

Clinton explained to Rachael that his physician told him that he was not getting enough good quality protein on a vegan diet. As a result, he now regularly eats fish and is particularly fond of salmon. However, he follows a Paleo-style low-carb diet that excludes dairy.

Looking embarrassed, the former president confessed that he misses his favorite foods such as pizza, cheese, and frozen yogurt. But he tries to follow his doctor’s advice for his health after having life-threatening heart problems.

As the Inquisitr revealed, Clinton’s physician is Dr. Mark Hyman, known for his low-carb diet books. Dr. Hyman expressed concern about the president’s vegan diet when they first met, contending that it contained too much starch and lacked good quality protein. He also contends that weight loss is more difficult for vegans.

“It’s hard being a vegan to eat enough good, quality protein and not have too much starch. I know a lot of fat vegans.”

In addition to improving his diet in recent years, Clinton said he’s working on his fitness. And that’s his number one goal this year, to get stronger. He needs that strength to lift his first granddaughter, Charlotte, born in September.

“She’s becoming louder,” said Clinton. ” Now, she’s kind of moving to music. She’ll laugh. She’ll cry a little bit if she gets upset.”

He’s so hopeful that she’s musical that the president even has a second resolution. And that’s to pick up his saxophone again.

“I’ve actually resolved this year to start playing my horn again. I want to play to my granddaughter.”

As for that granddaughter’s grandmother, his wife Hillary, Clinton also addressed the rumors that she may run for president in 2016.

“It’s a serious decision,” mused the president. “It’s a serious decision for Hillary; a serious decision for the country and the world.”

“As for his personal view, he emphasized his support. “I love my wife. Whatever she wants to do, I’m for. I think it’d be good for the country, because she’s the ablest person I’ve ever worked with. If she decided not to do it, I’d give her the Bucket List and we’d go check ’em off.”

However, Clinton admitted that he’s already thought about how he’d be addressed.

“If the President is a man, you call the President’s spouse The First Lady. So, we’ll have to cross this bridge if a gay couple ever [gets elected],” he noted.

“If a woman became President, I could be called Adam.”

But when it comes to announcing whether she is going to toss her chic hat in the ring for the presidential race, Hillary may delay the campaign, reported Politico.

Why would she wait to announce her candidacy?

“She doesn’t feel under any pressure, and they see no primary challenge on the horizon. If you have the luxury of time, you take it,” said a source.

[Image Via Bill Clinton]