Tom Brady maintains the same strict diet that kept the quarterback competitive and winning Super Bowls into his 40s despite retiring months ago.
Brady, 45, avoids several foods to this very day to stay in shape as rumours about the three-time NFL MVP reversing his retirement decision again remain. The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers player continues to rule out any return to the sport and instead choosing to focus on other projects.
One of those is becoming a minority owner in the Las Vegas Raiders. He will also start a lucrative contract with Fox next year to join them as an NFL pundit.
Amidst all those other commitments, plus being a father to three children, Brady still finds time to look after his body - and there is a strict list of items he avoids.
Drinking beer is one of them. As opposed to downing pints, Brady has three gallons of water a day. He also steers clear of fruits and vegetables that are high in nitrates - So that means no eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, strawberries or tomatoes. - and limits how much meat he consumes.
Despite remaining rigid to these restrictions, he sees it as a choice to stay healthy. "I don't think it's a strict regimen, " Brady told People. "I think it's just trying to make healthy choices that allow me to live the life I want to live.
"I think what I put in my body is very important. My body was my asset. It's a little different now. I've developed so many healthy habits; I just want to stick with them."
Brady's eldest son, Jack, also takes after his father by playing sports, so should have no worries staying in shape should he ever turn pro. However, it is basketball rather than football where the teenager's passion lies.
"Yeah, he played (football) this last year, and I don't even know if he's going to play next year," Brady told PEOPLE. "And to be honest, whatever he chooses, I'll be very happy.
"But he loves lacrosse... basketball's probably his favourite sport, but he's a very good student. Again, I think wherever he ends up finding the path, I think for me and his mom just to support that is the best thing possible."
Brady has previously warned his son about the "crazy expectations" that would accompany a career in American football. “I hope he finds the things in his life that allow him to get up every day to be internally motivated to work hard at something he loves to do,” Brady told ESPN.
“I don’t think football… a lot of it, I wouldn’t choose for him to do that, because there’s too many crazy expectations that people would put on him. Most of them probably very unfair, actually."
“So, whatever path he chooses in life – or my son Benny or my daughter Vivi – whatever they choose, I’m there to support them, just like my dad supported me. I was very lucky to find something that I loved to do.”
