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To stay on top of their game, professional football players in the NFL have to stay on top of their exercise and diet on a day-to-day basis.
Having all the skills in the world isn't enough to make the grade alone—being fit and eating the right foods are all part of what it takes to be a top athlete.
Diets can differ for various reasons, with each playing position requiring different food plans so the player is fit and healthy and ready to go at kick-off.
Many players share their daily routine on social media as they look to inspire fans to follow a healthy regime.
One such player, Cleveland Browns defensive end Isaac Rochell, told Newsweek about his diet and the constraints he puts on himself so that he can stay ready to perform.
Speaking about his current meal plan, Rochell said: "I try and focus on foods that are lower in fat. I also choose leaner forms of protein and carbs that are complex.
"For years I struggled with my body fat percentage, but once I started focusing on my fat intake I was able to shed body fat."
It can be difficult to stick to a diet, but Rochell shared the importance of doing so.
He said: "I usually stick to this dieting philosophy 80 percent of the time. I am definitely not perfect but I give myself the best chance at success when I focus on just 'winning the meal.'"
Rochell's diet and food plan are designed to keep him within weight and body fat constraints and he shared how he does that. He said: "Yes, I try and stay under 262 pounds and below 13 percent body fat. This fluctuates but that fluctuation has to do, mainly, with my eating choices throughout the week."
There are times, though, when he can indulge—and there is a go-to meal when he has free range to eat what he wants.
The NFL star said: "I love a steak dinner! If I am choosing to have a cheat meal it will always be at my favorite steakhouse."
When the season is over, it is not time to let the diet go lax. In fact, Rochell said that he has to get even stricter on himself... after a few weeks of indulgence.
He said: "After the season is over I typically take a few weeks to not think about my eating and then I turn to a very strict version of my diet.
"This usually consists of a protein, brown rice, and a veggie for every meal... and yes, that includes breakfast!"
Chris Gronkowski, who played for Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos during his NFL career, is another who has been open about what he eats.
The former fullback, who is now an entrepreneur, told Newsweek what was on offer at the Denver Broncos when it comes to a daily diet.
The players are given a comprehensive food plan and the booklet sets out a number of meals that can be eaten, depending on the calorie intake that they require.
Gronkowski shared what was on offer to start the day with the Broncos: "Here's three breakfast recommendations from the Denver Broncos. The first is an 800-calorie option."
Listing what you could eat, he said: "Three egg omelet, one cup of mixed fruit, one yogurt and a 100 percent fruit juice, or the second option is two cups of cups of oatmeal with dried fruit, an English muffin with peanut butter and agave nectar (honey) and 100 percent fruit juice."
Gronkowski continued to list a third option, which was: "Three pancakes, two pieces turkey bacon or chicken sausage with 100 percent fruit juice or fruit shake. One serving of hash browns."
He said as a "bonus option," there was chance to eat: "Bowl of yogurt and granola with fruit. A fruit shake or 100 percent fruit juice along with a bowl of oatmeal with butter and brown sugar."
Gronkowski has also shared on TikTok what he eats now as he maintains his fitness and continues his weight training.
Speaking to the camera, the football player said: "I start it off with one of my absolute favorites, a double stack of protein pancakes and about an hour after breakfast I crush a lift and here's my post-workout shake—a scoop and a half of protein powder, a half a cup of oats and you got to drink it from an ice shaker bottle.
"Lunch for today is chicken meatballs, with half a cup of rice and a bag of green beans—they are super filling and super low calorie.
"A go-to dinner is turkey burgers with bread and pickles—I love this one, I love ketchup way too much and this is a new one for today, protein pumpkin puree.
"So there it is, crush some weights as well and you will start to see results."
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead has also spoken about his diet. It has been slightly different of late as he recovers from foot and ankle injuries, which have kept him sidelined for a number of weeks.
He said: "I'm on a high-protein diet right now as I haven't been able to practice as much I would like to due to my injury.
"I don't want to be eating a bunch of carbs that I cannot burn off in practice.
"I usually have three protein shakes in a day. In the morning I would have egg whites, spinach, chicken sausage and maybe some potatoes and then lunch and dinner is just protein and veggies.
"I would have bison and broccoli, whatever protein I am preferring for that day and a bunch of veggies."
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