Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Alex Rodriguez, better known as A-Rod, hasn’t swung a bat professionally in a decade, and he revealed he eats a lot less than he did when he was a full-time athlete.
“During my 25-year career, I ate a lot more,” the legendary MLB slugger, three-time MVP and World Series champion told Men’s Health in a video showing what he keeps in the refrigerator and pantry of his Los Angeles, Calif., home.
“I used to eat six times a day — a lot of steak, a lot of potatoes, a lot of rice, beans,” A-Rod said. “You’re burning so much calories when you’re playing 162 games.”
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These days, the 51-year-old businessman, sports-team owner and broadcaster eats a wide variety of foods, with healthy options always on hand along with a stash of indulgent snack items.
The staples A-Rod told Men’s Health are always in his fridge include plenty of water — “some sparkling, but not too much” — eggs, spring lettuce mix and fruit, including bananas, apples and oranges, which the athlete called “very important.”
He said he usually eats three or four meals a day and mixes in a protein shake.
His refrigerator still contains a few “pop sodas” (his term) for friends who visit, because A-Rod gave up drinking soft drinks five years ago.
Other items A-Rod said he must have in his fridge are blueberries — “always fresh, organic” — strawberries, greens — including salad and some broccoli — and hummus for a late-night snack.
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A-Rod said he is a “chips expert.”
In his pantry, he unveiled an assortment of salty, greasy goodness in the form of barbecue chips, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Corn Nuts and cashews.
“This is where I do my best work — at 2 a.m.,” he joked. He also acknowledged eating in bed.
One item A-Rod said you’ll never see in his kitchen is liver.
His standard breakfast includes eggs, some oatmeal, bacon, a little glass of orange juice and lots of water.
For lunch, he usually has some salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and chicken or fish.
For dinner, he likes steak or salmon with sweet potato fries — or “any type of fries, actually” — and said he doesn’t cook any of it, joking that he would probably start a fire.
A-Rod said he’s never tried a diet.
“I love to eat,” he said. “I have a great relationship with food.”
He added that while he was playing in the MLB, he used to “overeat” because he needed the energy.
“Today I probably under-eat,” he said, “which is not good. I need to eat more, especially some healthy proteins, more fruit, more water, more fuel.”
A-Rod said his favorite pregame meal was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with barbecue chips and two bottles of water.
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To celebrate big wins, he said he enjoyed eating a big steak with a sweet potato “or some good sushi.”
His go-to comfort foods reflect his Dominican heritage and include rice and beans, plátanos maduros — sweet, ripe plantains that are fried until caramelized — and tostones — twice-fried, crispy green plantains.
Revealing his go-to burger meal, A-Rod said it’s a double Whopper with cheese. He noted that he likes Burger King’s burgers but prefers McDonald’s French fries.
The sports star is a big coffee drinker, estimating he consumes between seven and eight cups a day. He also likes a Celsius energy drink before hitting the gym.
A-Rod said he incorporates protein shakes with protein powder, fruit and a little bit of peanut butter into his day.
He also takes vitamin C supplements, a multivitamin and, to help him sleep, some magnesium.
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His preferred ballpark food is a hot dog, specifically a Dodger Dog (served at Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games at Dodger Stadium).
“I also like a great pretzel,” he said. “Nice and warm and big.”
The “A-Rod special” is an unusual item you likely won’t find on a restaurant menu.
The baseball star’s “weird” favorite food combination is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with deli turkey on it.
