Pro Basketball Player Sue Bird Says One Cup Of Coffee Is The Secret To Her All-Star Success
Sue Bird—pro WNBA basketball player, gold medal Olympian, all-star. we could go on and on—from the Seattle Storm is sharing everything she eats in season and out of season with Delish.
What's your diet look like in-season?
My typical [in-season] day looks pretty similar to my [off-season] days. My diet is pretty much get three meals a day, I think the best way to describe it to be honest is a cycle of trying to fuel for your workout or your game and then refueling for afterwards.
What changes in the off-season then?
Recently, I found out that I have a minor allergy to lactose and gluten, so when I'm in-season I totally avoid them. It's actually pretty annoying and kinda difficult—I miss cheese and gluten is everywhere, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Out of season though, I'm a little more relaxed about it.
What are three foods we'll always find in your fridge?
Eggs, onions, and gluten-free bagels. I'm obsessed with egg sandwiches, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Usually I do some sort of combination with the onion, put in spinach, kale, make it with the eggs, put it on the sandwich...voila.
What foods typically slow you down?
So I think the foods that slow you down are the ones that don't agree with your body. I did take a blood test to find out about the gluten and lactose allergy but for the most part I just try to stick to what I know works.
What are your favorite indulgences?
They're mainly in the dessert category; it's usually going to be ice cream, cookies, maybe brownies. The irony is is that I'm kinda a salt person, I salt my food like crazy. But when it comes to that one, singular food indulgence, I'm a sucker for ice cream sandwiches.
What's the most you've ever spent on delivery?
So my WNBA team, the Seattle Storm, won the championship in 2o18 and the city threw a parade for us. It was like midday and I had the entire team and a select few others come over—so let's call it 25 people—I think I ordered nearly 30 bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches. I don't remember how much it cost, but it was probably pretty expensive considering it was an organic place.
Do you have any superstitions?
It's true—athletes are insanely superstitious, and I am no different. Although I don't think I'd call it a superstition as much as I'd call it a routine. I just do the same things all the time and it kinda helps me get in my game day mindset. On a game day, I don't switch it up, I eat the same things. The hard part is actually when you're traveling on the road and you can't get exactly the same things, but I like to keep it in the same family. I know it works and I know it's not going to upset my stomach. I think routines help you get in that mindset. It's like checking off a box, boom, I'm ready to go.
What foods are best for athletes while they're training?
The foods that are going to help you perform best are the ones that give you energy. I don't avoid carbs—I'm strategic with my carbs—but I definitely don't cut them out. This may fall into the superstition category, but I actually drink a cup of coffee before every game. Just one, an hour and a half before when I'm driving to the arena. A nutritionist told me it was actually a really good pregame drink because it's caffeine. I definitely think coffee plays into my success on the court.
What's one food you would eat all day, every day if you could?
Legit I could have it every night: pasta.
Donate to Sue Bird's charity of choice, Not Impossible, here.
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