On Sunday, Tom Brady made history. At 43 years old, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is the oldest player to ever play in a Super Bowl. He also has had more appearances in the big game than any other player in NFL history at 107 of which he and his team took the championship title. While it's a given that Brady's hard work and training play a big role in his success over the years, there are some other lifestyle changes he's made that have helped the quarterback stay fit and agile in his later years.
Thanks to Alex Guerrero, Brady's personal trainer and body coach, the quarterback reportedly goes to sleep at 9 p.m.and focuses a lot on his flexibility. But perhaps the most important (and unconventional) change is adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet.
With the help of Brady's (former) personal chef, Allen Campbell, the quarterback developed and follows a fairly strict, plant-based diet that leaves out many popular foods.
"My philosophy is that a plant-based diet has the power to reverse and prevent disease," Campbell said in an interview with the Boston Globe in 2016. (After the interview came out and after helping Brady write his TB12 Nutrition Manual, Campbell parted ways with the quarterback.)
Brady's meals consist of roughly 80 percent plant-based foods and 20 percent animal-based foods, according to a TB12 blog post. But there are many foodsboth plant and animal-basedthat Brady avoids, and he's attributed this avoidance to a lot of his athletic performance.
We reviewed interviews with Brady's personal chef alongside blog posts on his personal website, TB12, to find the 18 foods Brady never eats. Read on, and for more on healthy eating, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
"I make conscious decisions to buy local and organic, and to stay away from GMOs, and to think about the future of the planet and the future of humans," said Campbell.
RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!
Brady doesn't eat strawberries for any nutritional reasonhe simply doesn't like the smell, according to the TB12 blog post.
"I try to avoid eating anything that comes in a box or a bag, as well as foods containing white flour or added sugars," Brady says in a TB12 blog post.
"I try to limit cereal, white bread, white rice, pasta, cakes, and cookies. Less inflammation is the key for me," Brady says in a blog post.
In his 2016 interview with the Boston Globe, Campbell said that Brady won't eat this highly-processed additive.
Campbell said that he only cooks with organic foods, and often shops at farmer's markets or at Whole Foods. So that means that any conventional produce or meats are off the table.
"I use Himalayan pink salt as the sodium. I never use iodized salt," said Campbell. Although Brady doesn't eat iodized salt, nutrition experts recommend making iodized salt a staple in a healthy diet, as many people don't consume enough of the nutrient, which is essential to a healthy thyroid.
"Fats like canola oil turn into trans fats," says Campbell. Instead of vegetable oil, Cambell uses olive oil and coconut oil. (Related:What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Olive Oil)
One of the most famous parts of the quarterback's diet is his avoidance of tomatoes and nightshades. "[Tom] doesn't eat nightshades, because they're not anti-inflammatory," says Campbell. "So no tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, or eggplants. Tomatoes trickle in every now and then, but just maybe once a month. I'm very cautious about tomatoes. They cause inflammation."
Nightshades are a botanical family of plants, called Solanaceae, explains UC Davis Integrative Medicine. The term "nightshade" was coined since many of these plants prefer to grow in shady areas or often flower at night. These foods contain chemical compounds called alkaloids, which some say cause inflammation, but that haven't been scientifically proven to do so.
So that means no pasta sauce, no pizza, no salsa!
Sweet peppers are another nightshade that Brady doesn't eat. This also includes chili peppers, so presumably, Brady avoids hot sauce. Many experts criticize leaving out this vegetable, as it's incredibly high in vitamin C. However, there are other foods high in vitamin C, and a blog post on TB12 recommends consuming such foods. "Consider supplementing with 600 mg of vitamin C per day if you're not able to regularly consume those nutrient-rich foods," the blog notes.
Campbell called out eggplant as another nightshade that Brady avoids. Another nightshade Campbell didn't list is white potatoes; however, it's likely that Brady still consumes sweet potatoes, according to a TB12 blog post.
Campbell listed mushrooms as one of the nightshades that Brady doesn't eat, however, the fungus isn't technically a nightshade. Regardless of that fact, Brady doesn't eat them or any fungus.
Campbell listed coffee or any caffeinated foods among those that Brady doesn't consume. That means he won't have to experience any of the Ugly Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Coffee, According to Science.
As dairy can be inflammatory to a population with lactose intolerance or sensitivity, Campbell says it's not in Brady's diet.
Gluten may also cause inflammation in those sensitive to the protein. For that reason, Campbell explains that Brady avoids any gluten-containing foods. "[I use] tamari because we stick to gluten-free for everything," he says. That means bread, anything with wheat, barley (so that means no beer), rye, crackers, bagels, flatbread, tortillas, cake, cookies, doughnuts, pretzels, pancakes, pasta, cereal, and some protein bars.
Besides avoiding beer due to its gluten content, Brady skips out on all alcohol. "Overdoing it can take a toll on your health, performance, and ability to recover," a TB12 blog post notes. "Alcohol is a double whammy: It can be both inflammatory and dehydrating."
Most processed meats are cured with preservatives like nitrates and nitrites. These ingredients have been linked to cancer, and processed foods like hot dogs, lunchmeat, and bacon are associated with a myriad of health problems, says a TB12 blog. "It's best to avoid processed meats as much as possible."
However, Brady isn't extremely strict about this rule: "If I'm craving bacon, I have a piece. Same with pizza. You should never restrict what you really want. We're humans, here for one life," the quarterback told Men's Health.
Forget french fries and potato chips. "Regardless of how much you love fried chicken, fried foods are an inflammation nightmare. Cooking food at the high temperatures required to fry them produce something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been shown to contribute to chronic inflammation," says a TB12 blog post. For more, see these Dangerous Side Effects of Eating Fried Foods, According to Science.
Excerpt from:
18 Surprising Foods That Tom Brady Never Eats | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That
- Turmeric and Amla Health Remedies [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- Turmeric and Amla Health Remedies [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Weak Kidneys Cause Weak Bones [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Weak Kidneys Cause Weak Bones [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- High Red Meat Consumption Linked to Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- High Red Meat Consumption Linked to Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Beetroot Juice May Boost Stamina [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- Beetroot Juice May Boost Stamina [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- Health care reform bill dooms America to Pharma-dominated sickness and suffering [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Health care reform bill dooms America to Pharma-dominated sickness and suffering [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Baking soda can clean your teeth, clear your complexion [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- Baking soda can clean your teeth, clear your complexion [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- Preventing Heart Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- Aspirin May Increase Risk of Crohn's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Aspirin May Increase Risk of Crohn's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Aspirin May Increase Risk of Crohn's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Sweet and Natural? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Vinpocetine shows promise for chronic inflammation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- A not so rare but frequently disregarded Metabolic Disorder - Pyrroluria [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Acupuncture May Trigger Natural Painkiller [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Neurological and Immune Reactive Conditions Affecting Kids [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- McDonald's threatened with lawsuit over toys in Happy Meals [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Vinpocetine shows promise for chronic inflammation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Acupuncture May Trigger Natural Painkiller [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Neurological and Immune Reactive Conditions Affecting Kids [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Sweet and Natural? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- A not so rare but frequently disregarded Metabolic Disorder - Pyrroluria [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- McDonald's threatened with lawsuit over toys in Happy Meals [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- McDonald's threatened with lawsuit over toys in Happy Meals [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- Brown rice and other whole grains can prevent type 2 diabetes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2010]
- Brown rice and other whole grains can prevent type 2 diabetes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2010]
- GHC's Dr. Ed Group joins Natural News Talk Hour [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2010]
- GHC's Dr. Ed Group joins Natural News Talk Hour [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2010]
- GHC's Dr. Ed Group joins Natural News Talk Hour [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2010]
- Secrets Your Dentist Doesn't Want You To Know [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- Secrets Your Dentist Doesn't Want You To Know [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- Secrets Your Dentist Doesn't Want You To Know [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- Molecule Discovery Might Help ALS Patients [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2010]
- Molecule Discovery Might Help ALS Patients [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2010]
- Hydrogen Peroxide Cures Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2010]
- Hydrogen Peroxide Cures Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2010]
- Positive Brain Changes Seen After Body-Mind Meditation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Eating meat may cause severe allergic reactions in some people [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Herbs Help Treat Diabetes: Bilberry, Gymnema, Ginkgo and Salt Bush [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Bacteria May Predict Chances of Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- How People With Type 2 Diabetes Can Lose Weight, Keep It Off: Study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Eating meat may cause severe allergic reactions in some people [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Positive Brain Changes Seen After Body-Mind Meditation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Colloidal silver to boost immunity and overall health [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Herbs Help Treat Diabetes: Bilberry, Gymnema, Ginkgo and Salt Bush [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Bacteria May Predict Chances of Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- How People With Type 2 Diabetes Can Lose Weight, Keep It Off: Study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Severe Low Blood Sugar Won't Harm Brain [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2010]
- Severe Low Blood Sugar Won't Harm Brain [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2010]
- Severe Low Blood Sugar Won't Harm Brain [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2010]
- Western medicine teams up.. [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2010]
- Experimental Treatment Could Fight Muscular Dystrophy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2010]
- Chinese mushroom found to have powerful anti-aging benefits [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2010]
- Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain Tumor [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Chinese mushroom found to have powerful anti-aging benefits [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Western medicine teams up.. [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain Tumor [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Amino acids are latest in growing list of nutrients shown to extend life span [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2010]
- Liver diseases identified as Europes silent killers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- Vitamins and Good Sense [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- Malpractice Fears Can Influence Medical Practice [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- Dangerous Fungus Now Endemic in Pacific Northwest: CDC [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2010]
- Tobacco firms bypass marketing restrictions with clever web campaigns [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2010]
- Vitamin B6 Cuts Colon Cancer Risk [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2010]
- Drink your sleep troubles away: tart cherry juice helps beat insomnia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2011]
- Mercury-Caused Endocrine Conditions Causing Widespread Adverse Health Effects [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2011]
- The downfall of science and the rise of intellectual tyranny [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2011]
- Toxic chemical carcinogen found in water supplies nationwide [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Alcohol more dangerous than cocaine or heroin [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Drink your sleep troubles away: tart cherry juice helps beat insomnia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- The downfall of science and the rise of intellectual tyranny [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Woman finds cancer cure in dairy-free diet based on anti-cancer plants [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Mercury-Caused Endocrine Conditions Causing Widespread Adverse Health Effects [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Alcohol more dangerous than cocaine or heroin [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]