The RL diet: Jack Hughes on game day meals and his guilty pleasure

Drew Darbyshire 15 Feb 2020 11:30 AM

The rugby league diet is our new feature where we give you an insight in to the eating habits of your favourite professional players, in partnership with Heaven ‘N’ Health.

Great Britain international and Warrington co-captain Jack Hughes is our latest guest…

Are you into your nutrition, Jack?

“I wouldn’t say I’m bang into it but I wouldn’t say that I just eat what I want either. I just eat pretty balanced and I know what I need and when and I just try to avoid junk food.

“I pick and choose when to indulge but apart from that, I just enjoy a balanced diet. I don’t fret over what I eat, I don’t count my grams of food and macros or anything like that but I make sure I eat enough to power me.”

What is your game day meal?

“I don’t have a specific game day meal but I’ll have high carbs, so it could be something like a pasta dish, sweet potatoes or fajitas and wedges – just something that’s high in carbs really.”

Do you eat differently in pre-season compared to in-season?

“I wouldn’t say I eat differently, I probably eat a little bit more in pre-season just because my body asks for more because of the amount of training we are doing.

“You are training more in pre-season obviously your body will ask for more fuel because that’s ultimately what it is.

“I’ll probably have slightly bigger portions in pre-season or have an extra little snack in the day just so my body is getting what it’s asking for. My diet is pretty simple really.”

And finally, what’s your favourite cheat meal?

“I’d probably go with a Chinese or Indian takeaway. I’m not really into greasy burgers or ribs, but I love a good curry.

“I like a chicken tikka dhansak – not too hot but it’s in the middle of mild and hot. I can’t enjoy it when they are too hot!”