- Shamser Khalid
5 Strangest Football Player Diets
When it comes to playing any sport, there is an importance to maintaining proper health. One way to do this is to maintain a good diet. Footballers, for example, follow strict diets to improve their performance. They eat a mix of carbs, proteins, and healthy fats to fuel their bodies and maintain muscle. However, this is not always the case with some players.
Some players find a way to work around a healthy diet and enjoy certain foods. Sometimes, this can lead to some strange results or additions to their diets. While it is not strange by a non-player standard, these are some of the strangest football player diets:
Masahiko Inoha's Love for Ice Cream
Masahiko Inoha's love affair with ice cream has become legendary, overshadowing his accomplishments on the football field. The Japanese international has gained fame for his daily consumption of three ice creams, two during clubhouse breaks and one after bath time. Critics question whether such a habit is detrimental to a professional athlete undergoing grueling six-hour training sessions.
However, a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that Inoha may be onto something. Research reveals that the high-glycaemic index carbohydrates found in ice cream can effectively replenish muscles after prolonged exercise, outperforming healthier alternatives like oats. While ice cream may lack essential nutrients, Inoha's ice cream addiction might just be a clever form of refueling, backed by scientific evidence.
Alex Song’s Pre-match KFC
Alex Song's pre-match ritual at Arsenal raises eyebrows and challenges the conventional wisdom of strict dietary rules in professional football. Despite Arsene Wenger's emphasis on sports science and healthy eating, former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong revealed that Song managed to sneak in a guilty pleasure: KFC.
Frimpong vividly recalled witnessing Song indulging in chicken nuggets from the famous fast-food chain on the team bus as they made their way to the London hotel ahead of home games. In a world of carefully planned meals and nutritional restrictions, Song's unorthodox choice adds a touch of rebelliousness and intrigue to the pre-match routine.
Erling Haaland and Unexpected Meats
Erling Haaland, the goal-scoring sensation from Manchester City, has left fans in awe not only with his remarkable performance on the field but also with his peculiar diet. After scoring his 20th goal of the season, the Norwegian sensation revealed his secret: a diet consisting of heart and liver. With an astounding 15 goals in just nine matches, Haaland's success has been unparalleled. In a documentary titled 'Haaland: The Big Decision,' he delved into his strict eating plan.
The interviewer presented various meat products, including chunks of cow's heart and liver, and Haaland unabashedly admitted that these unconventional choices helped him become one of the deadliest finishers in world football. Consuming approximately 6000 calories a day, Haaland prioritizes taking care of his body and emphasizes the importance of quality, locally-sourced food. While skeptics may question his approach, Haaland's astounding performances speak for themselves, challenging traditional notions of nutrition in the world of football.
Josh Hart's Relaxed Dirt
Josh Hart, the talented guard for the New York Knicks, seems to have a more relaxed approach when it comes to his diet compared to his counterparts like Ronaldo and Haaland. Following playoff games this postseason, Hart has been spotted enjoying pizza and chicken wings, showcasing his preference for indulgent treats. This dietary inclination is not a recent development, as evidenced by a social media post from 2018 when he played for the Lakers.
Hart shared an Instagram story featuring a shopping cart filled with snacks such as pretzels, Goldfish, ramen noodles, and 'Zebra Cakes.' His grocery haul also included Totino's pizza rolls, tortilla chips, and frosted mini wheat cereal. Captioning the image, he humorously remarked, 'Why I can't go shopping by myself.' Hart's food choices provide an interesting contrast to the strict dietary regimens followed by many professional athletes, highlighting his more laid-back approach to nutrition.
Players and Mate Tea
Mate tea, a beloved beverage among soccer players, is gaining popularity for its numerous benefits. Made by combining near-boiling water with dried leaves of the yerba mate plant, mate provides an energy boost similar to coffee but without the dreaded caffeine crash. Renowned South American stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are known to favor this drink.
Sipped through a straw to filter out the leaves from a wooden mug, mate has found its way into the hands of players like Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Aguero, and Paul Pogba. Its popularity even reached the England camp before the 2018 World Cup, with Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier adopting the tradition thanks to their South American teammates and former manager Mauricio Pochettino. Beyond its energizing properties, mate tea boasts 24 different vitamins and is believed to enhance mental focus.
