Especially for professional athletes, pre-game meals can make the difference between a big win and a total loss. You might be shocked by what some of these pro athletes choose to eat.
Many people think that a pre-game meal requires near-perfect nutrition, a nice balance of food groups, and a good source of energy. But not all pros agree.
Chad Johnson, also known as Ochocinco for most of his NFL career, has always been a character. Ochocinco doesn’t even fly first class despite his success.
His pre-game meal choice is much the same. His go-to was a two-cheeseburger meal from McDonald’s. He is a simple man who loves his cheeseburgers!
Bryce Harper has been the face of baseball now for quite some time. But a big Eggo lover? Who knew! That’s right, Eggos are his go-to.
For his whole MLB career, Harper has apparently eaten frozen Eggo waffles before each game. It wouldn’t be our choice, but if it works, it works!
Harper is big on his routines, which also include showering seven times and wearing the same undershirt for every game. Maybe there’s a method behind the madness?
Chocolate chip cookies are well-known as a delicious dessert, but a pre-game meal? That’s right, Brian Urlacher, former linebacker for the Chicago Bears, loves a good cookie.
He was known to scarf down two chocolate chip cookies before every game, but there was a specific rule to this meal.
It had to be two. No more, no less. Superstitions are common among athletes, and they often spill into their pre-game meals. But no milk? Come on.
Here we have another athlete who loved fast food before a game. Although Justin Verlander is still pitching in the MLB, he doesn’t follow this routine anymore.
When he did, his go-to order was three crunchy taco supremes, a cheesy gordita crunch, and a Mexican pizza, all with no tomatoes. Why did he stop?
After a surgery in 2014, Verlander realized that the Taco Bell feast may not be the healthiest pre-game meal. But it certainly was an interesting one.
Laffit Pincay Jr. is one of the most famous jockeys of all time. Even post-retirement, was able to compete at a high level in horse racing.
Pincay Jr. was dedicated to his sport, which required him to diet strictly for optimal speed. He sometimes only ate a single peanut before a race.
He is said to have rationed a single peanut for a cross-country flight. He ate one half at the beginning and the other half at the end.
Kerri Walsh Jennings is an amazing former volleyball player who has won the gold multiple times at the summer Olympics for beach volleyball.
She would always go with a simple sandwich of almond butter and honey before a game. She chose almond butter rather than peanut as a healthier alternative.
This meal seems to have worked for her, and it’s actually a fairly popular pre-athletic activity snack. It provides sugar, carbs, healthy fats, and protein.
Wayne Gretzky is known by many as the greatest hockey player ever. He holds many all-time records and is still considered one of the best.
What didn’t really make sense, though? He would eat four hot dogs with mustard and onions before his games for most of his prolific career.
Most of us would feel quite sick after that amount of food. But to then skate on ice and battle it out over a puck? Absolutely not.
You probably recognize Peyton Manning’s name as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL. Whatever he eats before a big game must be working.
Honestly, it’s not the weirdest meal on this list by a long shot. Manning reportedly eats pasta with marinara sauce, grilled chicken, and a baked potato.
He also has some broccoli or vegetables on the side and some Gatorade to wash it all down. That’s one way to get in your carbs.
Wade Boggs was a hugely successful third baseman and twelve-time All-Star baseball player. He was known to be highly superstitious about his particular gametime rituals.
He followed a strict ritual regarding what he would eat before each game. In short, he had to have chicken. It could be prepared however he wanted.
Grilled chicken, baked chicken, fried chicken — it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he had some sort of chicken. He even earned the nickname “Chicken Man.”
Derek Jeter recently retired from his baseball career as a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees. What did he eat before a game?
He apparently loved breakfast food because his go-to meal before a game was an omelet and pancakes. This packed a healthy dose of protein and carbs.
We wish we’d known that omelets and pancakes were so heavily involved in the game of baseball. We might have picked up the sport if we did.
Sam Bradford is a quarterback for the St. Louis Rams and another superstitious athlete. When it comes to his pre-game meal, he’s not too picky.
Bradford will eat just about anything before a game, as long as he can have multiple. Specifically, he will eat exactly three of anything he chooses.
We wonder if he leans towards eating three hamburgers or three almonds. It could really go either way. But whatever it is, it seems to be working.
Before one of his highly demanding NBA games, how does superstar Lebron James get the energy to perform? Apparently, he turns to salmon and grilled pineapple.
James tends to stick to a diet that’s high in lean meats, vegetables, and fruits. But, like other athletes, he ramps up the carbs during the season.
During a game, James likes to have sliced apples and almond butter readily available to him. Mid-game, he’ll use this nutritious snack to replenish his energy.
There’s nothing better than a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, seems to agree with that sentiment.
His pre-game meals aren’t too complex or overly thought-out. Instead, he turns to the childhood staple of a sweet and delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
In fact, a PB&J is well-known as a great meal to have before physical exertion. Even Lebron James, when not having salmon and pineapple, has one.
Claude Giroux, a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, was reportedly more superstitious earlier in his career. This applied even to what he ate before a game.
Apparently, Giroux would have a grilled cheese sandwich every time as a pre-game ritual. While he doesn’t do this anymore, he says it’s a “great meal.”
We have to wonder why Giroux stopped this delicious tradition. But in his free time, he prefers the Canadian classics. Specifically, he loves a good poutine.
Babe Ruth was known for more than just being a baseball legend and the namesake of Baby Ruth candy bars. He was also a prodigious eater.
At the height of his career, Ruth apparently ate an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 calories per day. And he seemed to have an adventurous palate.
We’re not sure if he ate the same thing before every game. Likely not. But one meal stands out: raw porterhouse steak with pickled eels. Yum?
Returning to what is apparently the ultimate meal for peak athletic performance, Paul Pierce also enjoys the meal. The All-Star relies on this simple meal.
But unlike his compatriots, Pierce won’t eat his sandwich just anytime before the game. He only eats it within a specific timeframe prior to the competition.
Pierce eats his PB&J exactly 55 minutes before the start of the game every time. Now that is some serious dedication to a game-day superstition.
We all have that friend who eats sweets all day. We wish we could be like them, but we also know it’s unhealthy. That’s Derrick Rose.
The NBA MVP always made his play look easy and full of energy. One reason might be because he was always full of gummy bears and sweets.
Rose’s teammates, friends, and even his personal chef have tried to make him change his ways. But he just isn’t willing to swear off the sweet stuff.
When asked about his favorite meal to eat before an NBA game, Metta World Peace had an intriguing, if slightly vague, answer: beans. Just beans.
Does he eat black beans? Pinto beans? A bean burrito? It’s totally unclear. But if you’re familiar with Metta World Peace, that shouldn’t be surprising.
In addition to “beans” for his game-day energy, Metta World Peace keeps a not-so-secret energy booster on the sidelines. He apparently sometimes drinks Hennessy during halftime.
Odom is another athlete with a sweet tooth. But rather than just having a massive sweet tooth, Odom claimed that candy actually made him play better.
Sugar can give you a quick burst of energy, or a “sugar high.” So it’s not too surprising that it would improve Odom’s skills in the short term.
In the long-term, though? Sugar can cause dramatic energy crashes. Not something you want lurking behind you when you’re playing professional ball. But for Odom, it works.
Former Syracuse Orangemen and NFL athlete Dwight Freeney had a very strict menu before games. He would only eat pintos and beef, and nothing else.
And it didn’t matter when in the day he was playing. If he had to have beef and pinto beans for breakfast, so be it.
As far as superstitious or ritualistic meals go, this one isn’t that bad. It packs a punch of protein and some carbs from the beans.
Usain Bolt flipped the script on what we think fuels a champ, munching down 100 chicken nuggets a day during the 2008 Olympics. You heard that right.
Despite what every health blog says, Bolt’s superhuman genetics and metabolism meant those nuggets didn’t slow him down. Instead, they powered him to break three world records.
Later, Bolt switched up his diet game, leaning into whole foods for the win. If Bolt can tweak his diet for gold, maybe there’s hope for us all.
Lyoto Machida kicks off his mornings with a shot of his own pee, all thanks to a tip from his dad. It’s his secret sauce for winning.
This might sound out there, but Machida swears by it for that edge. This pre-game boost might give you the ick, but it’s all about that win.
So, while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (or, uh, glass of urine), Machida’s morning ritual really shows how far some folks will go. Talk about dedication!
Serena Williams has a pre-match ritual that’s as unique as her game: sipping on espresso. She turns to this caffeinated kick to get her head in the game.
While some athletes might load up on carbs, Serena keeps it simple with a shot of espresso. It’s her go-to for that burst of energy and focus.
So, next time you’re dragging your feet before a big moment, channel your inner Serena. A little espresso might just be the secret weapon you need.
Did you know Novak Djokovic munches on dried dates during his games? He’s all about keeping his energy game strong with fructose, straight from nature’s candy.
It’s all part of his vibe to keep things real and avoid sugar crashes from processed snacks. Sticking to the natural stuff is his secret sauce.
So, next time you’re reaching for a mid-game snack, maybe think, “What would Djokovic do?” and grab something a bit more on the earthy side. Like dates!
Caron Butler totally breaks Djokovic’s pre-game meal mold with his go-to combo of Mountain Dew and straw Twizzlers. Yep, you heard that right — Mountain Dew and Twizzlers.
While others might go for pasta or a protein shake, Butler was all about that sugar rush. Apparently, soda kept him zooming through the game.
It’s a quirky reminder that when it comes to gearing up for game time, athletes do their own thing. And hey, if it works, it works!
Michael Phelps is all about that spaghetti life before a big swim – carbs are king for energy, folks. He sometimes enjoys this delicious dish with friends.
Even rivals like Phelps and Lochte hit pause on the competition for a chill pre-race meal together, digging into some pasta poolside. Friendship goals, right?
So it turns out, Phelps’s meal game is as strong as his stroke. It’s undeniable proof that behind every great athlete, there’s a great plate of pasta.
Tom Brady, the NFL legend, swears by a wellness game plan. It’s all about keeping it clean and green, detailed in his book “The TB12 Method.”
Think less sugar, more avocados, and tons of omega-3s to keep him game-day ready. When the sweet tooth hits, Brady doesn’t reach for the usual sugary suspects.
Instead, he dives into avocado ice cream, a genius mix of healthy fats and plant-based goodies. It’s all about indulging the smart way for Brady.
Gilbert Arenas totally broke the pre-game healthy meal mold with his enviable dozen donuts routine. Talk about carbo-loading with a sugar rush for the win.
Forget protein shakes or meals loaded with lean meat. Arenas was all about that donut life. If it works for him, could it work for us?
This just goes to show there’s no one-size-fits-all for game-day grub. Although it’s hard to believe that a dozen donuts would feel very good before a game.
Shaquille O’Neal’s pre-game fuel? Two sandwiches, fries, and pineapple soda. Definitely not your typical athlete meal plan, but hey, if it works, it works. And it works.
While many pro players stick to lean proteins and veggies, Shaq went the comfort food route. It’s all about that balance and, apparently, a touch of sweetness.
Shaq’s choice just adds to the legend that is Shaq. It’s a reminder that no matter how famous the athlete, they’re a person with their own preferences.
Michael Jordan preferred steak before games, defying the typical carb-heavy athlete diet. This choice supported his intense energy needs on the court in a big way.
In the 80s and 90s, carbs ruled athletes’ diets. But Jordan and his trainer opted for steak to avoid energy dips during games and reach peak performance.
Jordan’s dietary strategy showcases his commitment to excellence. He was game to use unconventional methods (and steak) to ensure he remained at his best throughout his legendary career.
We know how important it is to eat healthy, especially before any kind of athletic activity. But sometimes, weird habits take over. At least for these pros.
Whether it’s a raw steak or gummy bears, something about these go-to meals works for these professional athletes. If it works, who are we to stop them?
We have to wonder how some of these meal choices will affect these athletes years down the line. But for now, it’s all about winning the game.
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