The Real-Life Diet of Paul George, Who Made the Comeback of the Year
Two years ago, Paul George looked untouchable. In 2014 he was coming into his second season a bonafide All-Star when he joined the U.S. team to compete in the FIBA World Cup. But things came to an abrupt halt when, in the middle of a FIBA showcase, the Pacers forward suffered a nasty compound fracture in both bones in his lower leg.
But it turns out that was more a pause than a hiccup. True, even by NBA standards the injury was gnarly. And true, he was out for the rest of the 2014-2015 season. But not only is he back, and not only did he make All-Star again in 2016, but despite the injury, he’s played in every game this season and has the Pacers back in the playoffs.
“I don’t ever feel cautious about making plays,” he says. “I tell myself that injuries are more likely to occur if I try to play safe. I just go out and play like nothing ever happened. That keeps you sane.”
That’s not a surprising attitude from the guy who won the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2013, and it also explains a lot about how he came back from such a grievous injury. “I was working out every day with a lot of isolation stuff,” says George. “It was the hardest I’ve ever worked out just because I was trying to strengthen one leg while maintaining strength in the other leg. It was really a total body workout every day. ”
Like a lot of athletes have had to deal with health setbacks, George has totally reevaluated his diet since his recovery. Snacking on candy is way down, and despite a dinner of chicken wings every week or so, the emphasis is on balance and clean-eating. Having a chef helps, especially one who’s open to feedback (“We’re really close.”). But even for George, who admits he’s “not a huge vegetable guy,” the change has been tremendous.
“With the injury, it was so hard every day to have energy to continue with the workouts and find that motivation,” he says. “Once I changed my diet I noticed I had a ton of energy—I was more lively and ready for the workouts, my body was better. I noticed it was definitely the stuff I was putting in my body that made me feel better.”
BreakfastOmelette with spinach, ham and cheese, hashbrowns, fruit smoothie
Post workoutGatorade protein shake
LunchPasta and fish
SnacksCashews
DinnerChicken breast with green beans
Luke Darby is a contributor to GQ, covering news, entertainment, and the environment. A Louisiana native, he now resides in Cleveland, and his writing has also appeared in Outside, the Dallas Observer, and Marie Claire.Related Stories for GQReal Life DietNBANBA