Travis Kelce will be hoping to guide the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Sunday’s Super Bowl – and his diet is crucial to his success on the field
Travis Kelce will once again be hoping to secure victory with the Kansas City Chiefs – but what exactly does a defending champion eat?(Image: Getty Images)
As the 59th Super Bowl gets underway, all eyes are on one of the NFL’s most prominent figures, Travis Kelce, as he aims to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to back-to-back victories. In preparation for the crucial match, Travis, alongside his teammates, has been adhering to a stringent training regime, with a particular focus on nutrition being key to his performance.
Scott Krones, General Manager of Props.com remarked: “One of the biggest stars in the NFL is Travis Kelce, not just for his success on the field but also for his headline breaking relationship with Taylor Swift. With the Kansas City Chiefs now reaching the Super Bowl once again and if they happen to go on to win, many will be invested in how the tight end maintains his fitness and diet with these insights offering a glimpse into what really makes a winning diet.”
So, what’s on the menu for a Super Bowl champion?
Donna Kelce, Travis’s mother, shared that her son and his siblings have always had hearty appetites, leading to a refrigerator constantly stocked with food, particularly meat. In February 2023, she revealed that they would consume “whole chickens, they would eat lots of pork, ribs.”
Taylor Swift will be supporting her boyfriend Travis at the Super Bowl
NFL players like Kelce depend on high-protein meals, such as steak, to keep their cardio and strength performance at its peak during games. Protein from meats plays a critical role in muscle development throughout the off-season as well, underscoring the importance for athletes to maintain a diet rich in strong protein sources year-round, reports the Mirror.
In a 2020 discussion with Men’s Journal, Kelce shared that French toast is his go-to for getting his “blood sugar going”.
“On game day, you want to carb up, so I have the energy I need for the game. If I can, I’ll have a breakfast-type meal, since most of our games are in the afternoon,” he explained. While it might not be the archetypal pre-game fare, French toast packs more vitamins than one may imagine, including Vitamins B6 and B12, along with ample amounts of iron, calcium, and magnesium.
The carbs from the bread also help fend off muscle breakdown, complementing proteins to focus on building and preserving muscle mass, which is vital for staying sharp on the pitch.
Travis Kelce has never played a single Superbowl without his mum’s cookies!
But French toast isn’t the only sugary delight that has caught Kelce’s eye; during a press conference last year, he confided that his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s baked goods were especially significant to him.
Kelce shared with fans that she whipped up some delightful pop tarts and cinnamon rolls last June. However, even with their sweet allure, they can’t compete with his mum Donna Kelce’s annual batch of cookies.
According to People, Travis has never participated in a Super Bowl without these treats!
One area where Travis exercises restraint is his consumption of vegetables, which he isn’t particularly fond of. His personal chef, Kumar Ferguson, revealed that while Travis isn’t keen on veggies and greens, spinach remains a constant in his diet.
Spinach is crucial for those who engage in intense training due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which aid quick recovery after muscle exertion. This leafy green is packed with antioxidants and nutrients, making it ideal for a balanced diet.
It also boasts high potassium levels, beneficial for lowering blood pressure, maintaining energy, and supporting healthy bones. Ferguson also disclosed that he prepares oatmeal with fresh fruit for Kelce every morning as part of his ‘three meals a day’ routine.
Slow release energy from oats is the perfect way to help maintain Travis’ sugar levels for a long game
Oats and porridge have seen a revival in popularity recently, thanks to platforms like TikTok highlighting their health benefits.
Oats, packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals, help to regulate blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy release. This enables Kelce to maintain his vigour throughout a match day, rather than experiencing an energy spike followed by an inevitable slump.
As a result, Kelce can train more effectively, knowing his limits and avoiding unexpected energy crashes. Another dish that has won over the footballer is seafood alfredo.
Despite its dairy content, it’s an excellent way to incorporate healthy amounts of fish and seafood into one’s diet. Fish and shellfish are rich in vitamins, Omega 3’s, nutrients and contribute to brain development, heart health and immune system maintenance.
The fatty acids in fish are ideal for any athlete, supplying ample amounts of zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium to the body.