NFL player Josh Allen, 29, isn’t just training hard; he’s also eating clean.
In an interview with GQ published Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills quarterback spoke about his fitness routine and how staying in shape starts with his plate.
Allen, who married actor Hailee Steinfeld in May, says his diet has never been better.
“Honestly, right now, it’s probably the best it’s ever been, partly because I wanted to look good for some recent events in my life. I was making sure that I was staying fit and slim so I could fit in the clothes,” Allen told GQ.
He says he’s not extremely hungry when he gets up in the morning, so he usually eats a light breakfast or lunch.
“Sometimes I don’t eat breakfast, and I don’t follow the intermittent fasting diet,” he said.
His diet is heavy on protein, including steak, chicken, and fish.
“Sushi is like my favorite food right now, so it’s helped me with diversifying my proteins and what carbs I’m taking in. But I’m not sitting here counting calories,” he said.
When he goes back to Buffalo for training, there’s a chef who cooks for the team at least twice a week, he said.
“I’m also taking the butter and dairy out, trying to eat very clean,” he added.
In terms of exercise, Allen says he trains four days a week — Monday through Thursday — usually alternating between upper and lower body workouts. On days he feels like doing a full-body workout, he goes for a swim.
“I grew up swimming competitively, and especially for what I do in my job, swimming is so good for my body,” he said.
Allen says he aims to get at least eight and a half to nine and a half hours of sleep a night.
He’s also added some modern tools to his recovery routine — most recently, an infrared sauna with red light functions. “Me and my wife have been doing that almost daily,” he said.
Allen isn’t alone. Staying on top of diet and fitness is practically a full-time job for NFL players.
Raheem Mostert, who plays for the Las Vegas Raiders, previously told Business Insider that he takes an “everything in moderation” approach to his diet. Although he doesn’t restrict himself too much, he’s willing to make smarter choices to feel his best.
“Prime example; if I’m eating a burger, I probably have no cheese on it just because I know that it’s an inflammatory issue for me,” Mostert said. “So I try to cut out those little things.”
Kansas City Chiefs executive chef Erin Wishon told BI that a popular breakfast item among players is steak and rice.
“The steak, particularly a lean beef tenderloin filet, provides high levels of protein, iron, vitamin B12, and healthy fats. Paired with rice, which offers quick carbohydrates, this combination makes for a highly satiating meal, especially for those with lean dietary preferences,” Wishon said.
On the other hand, Roman Montijo, the Philadelphia Eagles’ performance chef and registered dietitian, told BI that bone broth and breakfast quinoa are favorites among the players.
A representative for Allen did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.
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