Diet-induced small bowel obstruction is a rare condition in young, healthy patients. We describe a case of a 26-year-old man, who presented with acute small bowel obstruction. During a period of eight days prior to admission the patient had been eating an extremely restricted diet along with a regulated intake of fluids. The diet was part of a preparation for a major fitness contest. We chose a conservative treatment of IV fluids and laxatives, and the patient recovered uneventfully.