There can be no argument that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is one of the greatest to ever play the game, but he’s also one of football’s most polarizing figures. Lately, the future Hall of Famer has been making waves because of…his diet? That’s right, Brady attributes his longevity and success in part to what he eats, or rather what he doesn’t eat.
Feast on the Brady Buffet
If you want to find a unique way to root for the Patriots this Sunday as they battle the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII (6:30 pm EST on NBC), consider a spread that lands on Brady’s Most Valuable Ingredients list. The Boston Globe looked at the quarterback’s “notoriously regimented and restricted diet” as detailed in his book, The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance.
One of the items on Peak Performance list? Brussels sprouts. We’ve got recipes to cook up these tiny cabbages three ways: shredded in a raw salad, spicy and sautéed and roasted with sweet-and-sour flavors.
Sweet potatoes are also part of Brady’s dietary playbook. And while he’ll pass on the alcohol, we’ve got suggestions on which wines work with sweet potatoes and which ones to avoid.
Surprisingly, chips and guacamole—certainly a more typical Super Bowl snack than Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes—are permitted. But what ingredients belong in guacamole? This can be a topic as polarizing as Brady himself. Play it safe with this classic recipe, or try this one with a California spin.
If Tom Brady Makes You Say UGG
Loathe the Patriots, Bill Belichick, Gronk and all-things Brady? Indulge in all the foods he won’t touch. Men’s Fitness has the rundown on what you’d have to give up to eat like Brady.
Super Bowl Sunday is a long day of snack and drink preparation. Unlike Brady, you’re allowed to fill up on as much caffeine as you’d like. Make sure you can last until overtime after a day of party prep with this morning coffee flight.
Brady’s also professes that he won’t eat vegetables that don’t have anti-inflammatory properties. He treats them like the Super Bowl dreams of the Jacksonville Jaguars: hapless and non-existent.
If you really want to stick it to the five-time Super Bowl champ, load up on peppers, mushrooms and eggplant. Try this curry-spiced ratatouille, as it sports two out of the three veggies that would make Brady blanche. To make it more appropriate for the big game, top it on grilled bread or put it on a pizza.
While Brady would urge Belichick to throw the red challenge flag on a plate of mushrooms, you can explore what wines pair best with the foraged kind. Bonus: If you’re not just anti-Brady, but a true Wentz-ylvanian, the article has tips from a Pennsylvania restaurant owner and sommelier. We’ve even got a primer on Pennsylvania wine.
Finally, Brady has suggested he’d rather throw a pick-six than have dairy in his house. You, on the other hand, can mock both his diet and perfect bone structure with a perfectly assembled cheese board for your guests. We’ve got details on platters for rookies, veterans and All-Pros.
Published: January 31, 2018
