Travis Kelce's Protein-Heavy Daily Diet Leaves Room For Sweet Treats

Considering the fact that Travis Kelce is an NFL star who needs strong muscles and a fast recovery, it's not shocking that protein takes precedence in his diet. Speaking to Startland News in 2023, Kelce's childhood friend and personal chef, Kumar Ferguson, shared that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end's meals consisted of "healthy steakhouse cuisine" such as chicken, chops, and steaks, adding that all of Kelce's diet plans were planned "for fuel, for comfort, hydration, [and] nutrition." 

However, Kelce might just have "sweet treat syndrome," a condition made up by social media users to describe being unable to go for extended periods without enjoying a good dessert. Per Kelce's 2023 Wall Street Journal profile, one of his go-to desserts is French toast drenched in syrup, topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Moreover, he told Inside Hook in 2022, "I love BBQ, but every pregame meal has been French toast and strawberries since I've been on the Chiefs." Speaking to Men's Journal in 2020, Kelce revealed that French toast is more than just comfort food to him: "On game day, you want to carb up, so I have the energy I need for the game [...] I have to grab some French toast, get my blood sugar going, get some carbs in." 

After Kelce began dating Taylor Swift, an avid baker, he apparently only added more sweet treats to his pre-game meal. During a 2023 episode of the "Tobin and Leroy Show," former NFL player and Kelce's friend Bernie Kosar talked about an instance when, before a big game, Swift brought homemade cinnamon rolls to her now-husband's house.

Given how diet culture hinges on the idea that sugar is no good, it's only natural that people would wonder how an athlete like Travis Kelce could indulge in it before his games. However, one of the myths that people need to stop believing about sugar is that it should be avoided entirely. 

Writing for USA Cheer, Stephanie Miezin, M.S., R.D., CSSD, acknowledged that consuming too much added sugar can poorly impact overall health. Indeed, studies have shown how eating too much sugar can impact your cholesterol and how sugar can cause inflammation. However, Miezin pointed out that these findings are mostly from general population studies, which don't necessarily reflect the specialized needs of athletes. As Miezin put it: "There can absolutely be a time and a place for sugar in an athlete's diet."

In a blog post for USA Football, Lisa Heaton, a sports dietitian for the Chicago Bulls, wrote that a football athlete swiftly uses up their glycogen (stored glucose) as they power through high-energy movements. As the game goes on, reduced glycogen storage levels can interfere with an athlete's performance. In contrast, having a quickly digested simple carbohydrate like sugar can help keep glycogen levels stable as the game draws to a close. Additionally, a carbohydrate-rich pre-game meal can help keep blood sugar levels stable, which can in turn prevent fatigue and dizziness while maintaining mental sharpness throughout the game.