Eat Like Tom Brady & Gisele
You may not be a superstar athlete or a supermodel, but you can certainly eat like one. While some might think that New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady and wife Gisele Bündchen (and kids) have a limiting diet, it's actually not all that crazy... it's simply clean. You'll love these recipes!
What Do They Eat?
- Vegetables (a lot -- it's about 80% of their diet according to their personal chef Allen Campbell)
- Gluten-free grains (think quinoa, millet, brown rice)
- Legumes (lentils and beans)
- Lean meats (organic steak and chicken) and fish (mostly wild salmon)
- Coconut oil
What Don't They Eat?
- No white sugar
- No white flour
- No dairy
- No gluten
- No coffee or caffeine
- No nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms or eggplants)
- No cooking with olive oil (although, raw olive oil has been given the thumbs up)
- No iodized salt
- No fruits (for the most part; the kids eat fruit and Tom eats bananas in his smoothies)
No fun? Not so fast! Even if you don't follow their diet to a T, you can still incorporate some of their dos and don'ts into your meal planning with these delicious recipes.
Tip: Some of these recipes may have a "don't" here and there, like fruit, Greek yogurt, or cooking with olive oil. You decide how strict you want to be.
Green Smoothie for Breakfast
Lean, green and made in a blending machine, this smoothie is perfect for busy schedules. This recipe is packed with good-for-you greens and antioxidants.
Healthy Blueberry Pancakes
Fluffy and sweet pancakes can't be beat. You can omit the blueberries if you're strict with the no fruit philosophy, however berries are low glycemic fruits, meaning they have a small impact on blood sugar levels.
Oat and Chia Pudding with Cardamom Berries
Make this the night before for an easy grab-and-go breakfast. Be sure to chose gluten-free oats if you have a gluten allergy or celiac disease (check the packaging). If you're OK with having a little dairy, we recommend using plain Greek yogurt.
Coconut Breakfast Cookies with Cacao Nibs
Not eating bananas? Go ahead and give these tasty cookies to the kids. But we dare you not to try one.
Roasted Strawberry Amaranth Porridge
If you loved Cream of Wheat when you were a kid, you will love this creamy cereal recipe made with nutrient-dense amaranth. If amaranth isn't for you, feel free to swap out with other gluten-free grains, such as quinoa or brown rice.
Hummus
Everyone will love this easy-to-make creamy dip. Serve with a variety of vegetables, such as cucumbers, radishes, carrots and sugar snap peas. It's perfect for keeping the hangries at bay until dinnertime.
Make Your Own All Natural Nut Butter
If you haven't treated yourself to a homemade nut butter made with cashews, please, please, please try this recipe. The honey gives it a slight sweetness that is just delicious. Spread on toast or brown rice cakes for a perfect snack.
Goji Berry and Cacao Nib Oat Bars
Store-bought granola bars are just a no. But if you need a quick 3:00 PM pick-me-up at work or an after-school snack for your kids, these vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free treats will do the trick.
Simple Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables
Make this one-pot wonder your Sunday night go-to meal. It requires some planning, but the active time is only about 15 minutes.
Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon
Caramelized and crunchy, we'll challenge anyone who says they don't like broccoli after trying this roasted recipe. The ingredients are simple; the taste is sublime.
Kale Fried Rice
Day-old rice is perfect for this rice recipe that can be made in 10 minutes or less. Try it with brown basmati and substitute tamari for the soy sauce if you're on a strictly gluten-free diet. The kale is rich in fiber, calcium and has anti-cancerous properties.
Collard Greens Dal
Pack this meal for a comforting lunch. If you really want to be like Tom, omit the tomatoes. (Although, Campbell says that Brady does eat them about once a month). Try the ghee or substitute with coconut oil.
Cabbage Salad with Sesame Maple Dressing and Roasted Cashews
Serve this crunchy, flavorful salad alongside a veggie burger or grilled fish. It can even be eaten alone as a meal since raw cabbage is full of fiber -- therefore it's filling.
Chicken and Rice Soup
Set it and forget it. That's the beauty of this comforting soup made in a slow cooker. If you want, substitute coconut oil for the olive oil when sautéing the veggies.
Hummus Salad Dressing
Meet your new favorite dressing. Although very little oil is used, this dressing is creamy and tastes rich. The cumin and fresh lemon gives it a zesty pop. Try it on salads or tossed with steamed veggies or kale.
Indian Style Brussels Sprouts With Coconut
Naturally sweet coconut paired with a unique blend of spices turns the boring Brussels sprouts stigma on its head. Save yourself some prep time and buy pre-shredded Brussels sprouts at your local grocery store.
Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon and Salmon Salad Wraps
Be like Tom and Giselle and use wild salmon for this grilled fish dish. And use GF corn tortillas for the wrap. It's the meal that keeps on giving.
French Lentil and Kale Soup
Precooked French lentils are the secret to this soup. You can even buy your onion, carrots and celery pre-chopped too (check out the produce section at your local grocery store). Talk about a time saver! Perfect as a light dinner served with gluten-free rolls or as an afternoon snack.
Swiss Chard & Thyme Mac n' Cheese
Gluten free, dairy free... but not flavor free. This pasta packs a flavorful punch. Kids and adults will ask for seconds.
Vegan Cheesecake with Strawberries
Maple syrup is used instead of white sugar, and no dairy is involved. You might be surprised to see that cashews make a main appearance in this cheesecake. Can be eaten with or without the fruit.
No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Slice
No one should totally be denied chocolate. Ever. Luckily this no-bake dessert uses unrefined sugar and cacao. Your gluten-free friends and family will faint (with joy) over this.
Raw Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
Made with good-for-you fats and natural sugars (a lot of them, so eat in moderation). While this vegan dessert doesn't taste like a traditional cheesecake, the autumnal flavors are straight up delicious.
Kids, tell the Good Humor man to keep on driving. We've got your back with these frozen coconut milk and berry pops. Mom and Dad will approve. Make them as the weather turns warmer.
Acai Bowl
Although some may prefer acai bowls for breakfast or as a snack, we think it's a perfectly legit dessert choice. Fruits, nuts and coconut flakes? Sweet! (Naturally.) This Brazilian-inspired recipe creates the ultimate super bowl. We think Tom would like it!
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