Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence is entering a crucial season as the former 2nd round pick needs a big year to help continue his career with the team.
In order to help prepare himself for the important season, Spence added 35 pounds to his 6’2″ frame this year thanks to a nine-meal, 9,000-calorie daily diet.
On Tuesday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com spoke to Spence, who had this to say about his offseason diet:
inlineg
“Today was the heaviest I’ve ever been and I felt great. I was 263 today,” said Spence, 24, whose goal was to put on the weight cleanly, with minimal gain in body fat. “I kind of just started playing with it [in the offseason] to see what works. I felt like if I just don’t stop eating or drinking, I won’t lose weight.”
The change in diet has meant guzzling down seven protein shakes a day, hiring a personal chef and stocking up on coconut-milk ice cream. It’s also meant a new approach to eating — it’s part of the job, just like watching film and going to the training room.
“I don’t really look at food like I like it anymore. I’m just eating, man,” Spence said.
Here’s a break down of Spence’s diet:
Meal 1: Two protein shakes. Each shake has two scoops of vegan protein powder, two scoops of peanut butter, a banana, and two scoops of sugar-free coconut-milk ice cream (1,400 calories)
Meal 2: Breakfast, pre-practice. Cream of wheat, almond milk, brown sugar, three pieces of french toast and two heaping scoops of potatoes (700 calories)
Meal 3: Post-practice. Two protein shakes in the locker room (1,400 calories)
Meal 4: At the facility. 6 oz. grilled chicken, broccoli, mashed cauliflower, two pieces of bread covered in Sriracha Ranch dressing (600 calories)
Meal 5: 500 g pasta, 6 oz. ground turkey, peppers, onions, in sauce (1,300 calories)
Meal 6: Two protein shakes after the team’s walk-through (1,400 calories)
Meal 7: 6 oz. steak, 4 oz. shrimp, 500 grams potatoes, zucchini and squash (1,000 calories)
Meal 8: Snack. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of chocolate almond milk (500 calories)
Meal 9: One shake before bedtime (700 calories)
Total = 9,000 calories
The Buccaneers are hoping the transformation leads to a breakout season for the 24-year old pass rusher, who has struggled to find any consistency in his game.
