According to an article by Trevor Wong recently posted on the NBA.com website (scroll down to “Kobe Bryant’s Diet”), Kobe feels that his continued age-defying performance has more than a little to do with his diet.
It’s well known that Kobe Bryant has always thought with the precision of a scientist, and for years he has brought that logic to bear when it comes to the foods he choses to eat.
“I feel like I can run all day long. A lot of that has to do with diet and being committed to it, and watching what I eat.”
If I have anything to say about it, we are seeing the beginning of a trend—for those players, coaches and trainers who are willing to think outside the box for the benefit of the team—based on things like source (including animal feeding and treatment), freshness and careful preparation the healthiest cooking techniques.
Taking a more comprehensive approach toward better eating means one thing: More nutrition per bite—or as I call it, nutrient intensity. That means smart sports nutritionists will start to consider the benefits of reducing the kinds of empty calories that do little more than elevate blood sugar, which is to say reducing starchy foods and sweets.
“The current science reverses the pyramid, the base of the pyramid is on the top,” Says Garri Vitti, head Coach. “We’re not telling them to just eat fat – it has to be the right kind of fat. Pasture-grazed beef and products from that; you can eat butter, but it has to be pasture-fed.”
Vitti had many insightful things to say about cutting-edge performance nutrition. Whoever he’s working with (wink wink) must be pretty smart!
Dr. Cate on blogtalkradio
Lauren (3 months ago)
Good to see the media around his diet rather than all the high-carb athlete diets! My sister does crew, and she sent me the powerpoint given to her team about nutrition – recommended 70% carbs, 15% fat (!!), and post-workout foods like chocolate milk and gatorade. She was hesitant about trying a new approach with more balance and real food and less carbs – but it’s working. She texted me this morning saying she beat a best time after switching from bagels to eggs for breakfast!
Phi Earnhardt (3 months ago)
It seems a headline of “Kobe for Kobe” would be appropriate for this article.
@Lauren: I think that college sports like crew will be one where the teams will rapidly flip to a lo-carb diet. It’s essentially an all-out drag race against the clock with cardiovascular performance of the athletes the highest priority. The significantly decreased ventilatory drive when burning ketones should be a crucial factor in performance. I’d also put long-track speedskating (especially the 10k) in this category; those athletes should see the most pronounced improvement from the physiological boost.
I suspect that, in general, athletes will drag the rest of the population into a ketogenic revolution.
Dr. Cate (3 months ago)
Kobe’s mom decided to name her baby Kobe after seeing it on the menu at a finer restaurant, the story goes.
Lisa (3 months ago)
This is really exciting. I would love to see a more detailed write up about what Kobe does and does not eat. I would find it extremely helpful when it comes to feeding my son (I’m sure other parents would as well). He’s at an age now where he begs to eat what his friends do (empty calories). He plays basketball, loves the lakers, and idolizes Kobe Bryant. I’m excited to have a role model for him that practices the kind of real food nutrition that I want him to have.
Thanks for posting this Dr. Cate!
Dr. Cate (3 months ago)
For more insights, check out the (truncated) news segment with Lakers Head Strength and Conditioning coach Tim DeFrancisco and email them to make sure he gets invited back!
lisak (3 months ago)
This is FANTASTIC! I have 4 sport loving sons and I’ll be showing them all copies of this article! Thanks for sharing! We’ve been eating a WAPF/Paleo whole food diet for 10 years and can’t believe the difference! I found a link to the Kobe story at another site and saw your name! Yay Dr. Cate!
lisak (3 months ago)
These article facinate me as a mama to teen boys…particularly teen boys who LOVE sports and find role models in these athletes. What a great example for boys who’s eating habits become FAR from ideal when they become teenagers and spend more meals away from home. I’m curious… do you know where I might find the red, yellow and green lists Coach Vitti talks about in this quote “Vitti acknowledges they have created, not only for Bryant, but also all their players, food groups that are red, yellow and green. ” This link http://www.nba.com/lakers/community/1213_fitforlife_features It seems like a great way to show kids what they should be eating when they begin choosing foods for themselves. I apprecite you sharing this link. It’s been so helpful. My boys were QUITE interested!
Mary Collis (3 months ago)
Hi Dr Cate,
Can you spell out please why powdered protein (eg. whey protein, not soy protein) used in workout shakes is not a great choice. I’ve been primal/paleo for over a year, but it seems that much of the community uses protein powder to increase protein intake for exercise. They also make reasonable use of vitamin powders/fake products too, I find, such as greens supplements. I find it does make a difference to drink some protein powder in water before or during resistance exercise (energy does not drop, but seems to increase). I’ve been wondering if drinking bone broth would be a beneficial replacement. Are these powders really so bad, and why?
Dr. Cate (3 months ago)
Good question and one that few people ask. I’ll be discussing in a future publication.
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[...] Even Kobe Bryant’s doing it. [...]