Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt is 290 pounds of manimal. He has the speed of a cheetah and the strength of a gorilla, and he takes down opposing quarterbacks with a ferocity few NFL fans have ever seen.
So, it should come as little to no surprise Watt reportedly takes in 9,000 calories over the course of six separate meals throughout a single day, right? Hey, it takes a lot to fuel a 27-year-old three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
But even for someone as big and strong as JJ Watt, how does one get to 9,000 calories a day? What does this man actually consume? Well, in a recent interview with GQ, Watt revealed exactly what he eats for each of his six daily meals.
First Breakfast Oatmeal with blueberries and strawberries Six eggs Banana and apple Second breakfast Four eggs Two slices of wheat toast with peanut butter and banana and honey Two slices of wheat toast with jelly Lunch Three chicken breasts with whole wheat pasta and Italian dressing Side of broccoli Second lunch More chicken breasts with mashed sweet potatoes Steamed carrots Dinner Lamb chops with whole wheat pasta Grilled asparagus Second dinner Filet with whole wheat pasta Steamed broccoli
Speaking on his daily diet, JJ Watt said,
I'm not strict on my calorie count, I just pay attention to my body. Over the years I've learned a lot about nutrition and about myself, so it's a lot more based on feel. I stopped putting a number on it because people were analyzing it too much.
Honestly, that sounds like some of the best diet and nutrition advice I've ever read. Increasingly, we get all wrapped up in eating fat-free foods and trying to be as skinny as possible, but we lose sight of what it really means to be healthy.
I'm not saying you should consume 9,000 calories a day like JJ Watt, but maybe you should listen to your body more than your head.
Citations: J.J. Watt's 9,000-calorie daily diet includes a carton of eggs, 3 servings of whole-wheat pasta, and at least 4 chicken breasts (Business Insider)
