What a Philadelphia Eagles Player Eats in a Day

This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will face off in New Orleans for arguably America’s largest sporting event of the year, Super Bowl LIX. But what does it take to become Super Bowl bound? It’s more than what you see on the field.

Alongside exercise and practice, each player’s eating and recovery routine is pivotal to their performance. I chatted with the Eagles’ performance chef and registered dietitian Roman Montijo to fully understand what he recommends for the team. Here’s what a Philadelphia Eagle eats in a day, including the nutrients they focus on, why hydration is key and what foods they limit on game day.

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What a Philadelphia Eagles Player Eats in a Day

When it comes to a healthy routine, it’s about consistency, according to Montijo. 

“During the week, it’s all about getting balanced meals that fuel both practice and recovery,” he shares. “Players focus on eating nutrient-dense meals with a balance of lean proteins, whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables. We also focus on ensuring they eat enough total calories to fuel their training sessions and keep them at their desired weight, especially for positions like linemen.” 

Incorporating high-protein and high-fiber foods into each meal ensures that each athlete will feel satisfied and energized for optimal performance. Throughout the week, Montijo recommends for players to keep tabs on their meals by using MyFitnessPal, which helps track nutrition goals and specific nutrient intake. 

Alongside healthy and hearty meals, each player, no matter their position, needs their thirst quenched at all times.

“Hydration is also key throughout the week, especially after intense workouts,” Montijo says. “Not only does it fuel performance, but hydration as a part of recovery helps nutrients circulate throughout the body to replenish energy and repair muscles.”

But when it comes to game day, are there specific foods the dietitian recommends to his team? Montijo gives us the rundown.

“On game day, the focus shifts a bit, to have easily-accessible energy and maintain that energy throughout the game,” he explains. “They typically eat easily digestible foods, like rice or potatoes, paired with lean proteins (chicken, turkey or fish) around four to five hours before the game to fuel up without feeling sluggish.” Dishes like our One-Pan Baked Chicken & Potatoes or Salmon Rice Bowl would definitely get the RD’s stamp of approval.

Water and other electrolyte drinks are still a priority—cue the endgame Gatorade pour—and for foods the players avoid on game day, it’s foods that are high in saturated fat, like fast food fixings and deep-fried foods.

“These could lead to discomfort,” Montijo says. “It’s all about fueling in a way that provides sustained energy without the risk of feeling too full or sluggish.” And while these foods aren’t ideal for the daily routine, the Eagles’ dietitian agrees that any food or drink can be incorporated into a healthy eating pattern when moderated.

“It’s usually more about adding foods to the diet than taking foods away,” he shares. “No matter your goal, the important thing diet-wise is balance. Our bodies need all kinds of different nutrients from a variety of foods; they provide energy, help with recovery and support overall health. Extreme diets that cut out entire food groups can often lead to nutrient deficiencies, a lack of energy and can be unsustainable in the long run. 

“Instead of focusing on elimination, we should aim for a more complete approach—focusing on moderation, variety and balance,” Montijo continues. “A balanced diet provides the essential vitamins, minerals and macronutrients needed to fuel athletic performance and maintain general health. It’s all about finding what works for you, but within the context of a well-rounded, sustainable lifestyle.”

The Bottom Line

A pro-athlete, like a Philadelphia Eagles player, is bound to focus on nutrients like protein and fiber to keep them feeling full and energized for longer periods of time. According to Eagles’ dietitian, hydration is also an essential part of each player’s day-to-day. But Montijo also stresses the importance of moderation and eating what you love; focus on nutrient-packed options, but don’t refuse the foods that spark joy in your life.

“At the end of the day, we all need to eat nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables and find ways to prepare them so that we enjoy them,” Montijo says. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t also enjoy the foods we love. There’s room for a cookie every now and then, too!”