NFL players come in all shapes and sizes depending on the position on the field that they specialize in, but one thing rings true for each of them, no matter the role they carry out on a roster: their diet must be on point.

If nutrition is neglected, then that can lead to training being a waste of time. With this in mind, coaches have added nutritionists to their staff, ensuring that each player is being fed and watered in the correct manner.

Here are some of the diets and foods that pro football players swear by, some of which may take you by surprise, and others that you could even incorporate into your own healthy lifestyle.
The Big Men Need Huge Calorie Intakes

For those men who operate in the defensive line, bulk is important when you are trying not to be pushed and shunted out of the way in a high-octane NFL game. To maintain their physical presence, they are required to take onboard plenty of calories, but the right kinds that will not hurt their heart or make them sluggish.

This means a whole range of protein rich foods such as lean chicken breasts, fish and wholegrain pasta. Meanwhile, many players are switching out pasta or rice to make room for quinoa, which gives a clean carb boost as well as being high in protein.

Diet Regimens That Seem to Work

Some fans are so particular about the diets that their favorite stars are consuming that some will even factor it into whether they will perform well at the weekend, adjudging that juicy burger they saw a QB eat on Instagram 24 hours before game time as a sure sign that their opposition’s NFL odds might be worth a perusal.

While this means of predicting how games will pan out may or may not pay dividends, there are some diet fads which seem to have legs in the world of the NFL, with top players apportioning much of their success or longevity to them.

One of these is veganism, with stars like Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick having long ago rejected the prospect of ingesting animal products of any kind.

A halfway house, that a larger proportion of the league’s players appear to abide by, is a dairy free diet, with lactose-rich products such as milk and cheese only acting to slow players down.
Increasing numbers of pro athletes are becoming vegan

Snacking is Okay if It Is Healthy

Snacking between meals is often cited as one of the main reasons for people gaining excess weight, but often it is the choice of snack that people make rather than the actual snack itself that creates problems.

With NFL players needing a little energy boost now and again on the touchlines, they tend to turn to snacks like fruits, nuts and even a spot of hummus with vegetable or salad dips.

Staying Hydrated as Important as Staying Fed

Of course, food is only half the story when you are talking about a player’s nutrition, with their liquid intake every bit as important as the foods they gorge on.

While the advertising slogans of sports drink companies adorn the frontages of arenas and even the cups that players drink from, they increasingly are not the beverages of choice for top athletes.

One drink that is becoming increasingly consumed by elite players is coconut water, revered for being highly thirst-quenching but also rich in legal performance enhancing vitamins and minerals.

Staying Consistent Is Key

Everyone has had that excruciating moment where you realize a food or drink has not agreed with their digestive system.

This can be a major problem for a top athlete, with whole months of preparation for a big showcase event potentially being scuppered if they step out of line with their diet just before game time.

To prevent this happening, players ensure that they keep their diet healthy but consistent, so that there are no upset tummies before the first whistle blows. If you find yourself training for a marathon or other organized sporting event, you would be well advised to do the same.