When it comes to food, Barbra Streisand is a true-blue Brooklynite at heart. Despite her reputation as a diva, the legendary singer prefers the hearty, comforting flavors of her childhood over the glitz and glamour of champagne and caviar. However, this love for deli food comes with a hefty price tag—one that even her husband, James Brolin, can’t ignore. An insider exclusively spilled the beans to Closer about Barbra’s dining habits and their surprising consequences.

From Pastrami to Pickles: Barbra’s Favorite Comfort Foods

At 82 years young, Barbra Streisand hasn’t lost her appetite for the foods that remind her of home. According to the source, she indulges in "gigantic spreads of pastrami on rye, sauerkraut, pickles, potato salad, coleslaw, and even banana cream pie." While these dishes bring her immense joy, they also leave her dealing with some less-than-pleasant side effects, like heartburn and gas. But despite the discomfort, Barbra simply can’t resist her beloved comfort foods.

Belching and Fizzling: The Unseen Toll of Barbra’s Diet

Though she’s well aware of the toll her diet takes on her body, Barbra just can’t kick her cravings. The source reveals that her meals often leave her "belching and fizzing," which has become a nightly issue for James Brolin, who’s 84. "He usually ends up sleeping in another bedroom due to the noise and noxious fumes," the insider explains. And while James might find it "rude and disgusting," he’s too much of a pushover to ask Barbra to change her eating habits.

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A Tale of Two Dates: Then and Now

Interestingly, Barbra’s relationship with food has evolved over the years. Back in 1996, during her first date with James, she avoided a hot dog cart, fearing it might ruin her diet or spill mustard on her clothes. But today, it’s a completely different story. As the source notes, Barbra now orders deli food all the time and even gets her cook to prepare hot dogs with relish and mustard, sometimes eating two or three in one sitting.

Her love for eating knows no bounds. "She’s happiest when she’s eating, and she doesn’t pay attention to portions," the insider adds. This is why Barbra often opts for loose-fitting clothes. "Barbra figures she’s worked hard all her life, and now she can enjoy her food without worrying about calories and still have room for dessert—usually a couple of ice cream cones," the source reveals.

Barbra herself admitted in her 970-page memoir, My Name Is Barbra, that she simply can’t stop at just one serving. "I can never have just one," she confessed, speaking about her love for treats like ice cream cones.