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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.
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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.
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.
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