PATRICK Mahomes and Travis Kelce have an intense hunger to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl three-peat.
And the Chiefs superstar duo will fuel their bid for three consecutive Super Bowl victories on a surprise pregame diet of pancakes and French toast.
Patrick Mahomes celebrates the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl LVIIICredit: Getty
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce eats French toast before every gameCredit: AFP
Chiefs nutritionist Leslie BonciCredit: Getty
The Chiefs nutritionist Leslie Bonci has lifted the lid on the foods that Mahomes and Kelce consume to stay on top of their game.
And she told BetKansas that the pair like to consume breakfast foods before big games – even if they are playing in the evening.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a superstition, but players are creatures of habit and there are some that like breakfast foods even if it’s on a night game because that’s their comfort food,” Bonci said.
“Travis Kelce, Pat Mahomes and the other guys will want an egg sandwich, pancakes, waffle or French toast.”
The Chiefs nutritionists are keen to give the players an abundance of options to ensure they fuel up before they play.
“Not many of the players are eating an enormous amount of food before a game,” Bonci said.
“We do have steak, pasta, chicken and sandwiches as well as French toast and we have this abundance of food so players can come in and think ‘What shall I eat?’
“What we don’t want is players doing a U-turn and having a missed fueling opportunity so kudos to our executive chefs.”
Kelce once revealed that he has eaten French toast before every game since joining the Chiefs in 2013.
“Every pregame meal has been French toast and strawberries since I’ve been on the Chiefs,” he told Inside Hook.
Bonci added that Mahomes will eat around 3,000 calories a day, which is less than the average American intake at 3,600 calories.
“When we are looking at football players, don’t assume they eat 10,000 calories a day because they don’t,” she said.
“In general, QBs like Pat Mahomes eat at the most 3,000 calories a day and not everyone eats five times a day.
“It depends upon that particular player. Some players don’t have an appetite in the mornings and aren’t necessarily eating a lot at lunch because they’re training.
“Some guys go to bed early so they’re not doing an after dinner snack because they want to sleep so it is a lot less than what people think.”
Many Chiefs players like to eat fish – including salmon, swordfish, tuna, catfish, shrimp and crab cakes.
They also love BBQ foods – “with burnt ends like brisket and the charred part as well,” says Bonci.
As well as protein, Chiefs players tick themselves over with Caesar salads, potatoes, rice and pasta.
There are numerous breakfast options during the week, such as hot and cold cereals, eggs, omelettes, potatoes, sandwiches, and smoothies.
Breakfast is served before 8.30am, with lunch between 12-1pm before the players go out on the practice field.
Two nights a week the players are given the option of having dinner served by team staff.
“There’s a lot of options from fillet to roasted salmon and grilled chicken or if they want pizza, there’s a pizza oven,” Bonci said.
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“They have the option, so they don’t have to go out and eat, that way we know what they are eating which is better for us.”
The Chiefs rarely give the players any sweet treats, Bonci revealed.
“In terms of sweet stuff, because we don’t put it out regularly, mostly players do it during their own time,” she said.
“An ice cream Sundae is fun, and we tend to do more of it at training camp and not during the week at the complex.
“It will be what the baker has made on the day like a brownie or a cookie or a cupcake but it’s never anything too bad.”
To ensure players eat correctly, they are even given the option of taking portable ovens home with them.
“We don’t want them going hungry so there would be no excuse not to eat well because everything is available for them,” Bonci said.
