Updates
Sun, Sep 18th 2011, 21:22
7 Questions With J.J. Redick, the NBA’s Ultimate Foodie
J.J. Redick’s Twitter profile says it all: “Basketball player for the Orlando Magic. Former Duke basketball player. Lover of food.” In an offseason recovering from abdominal surgery, Redick hasn’t just been working out and going to physical therapy; he’s been visiting some of the most celebrated restaurants in the country and tweeting pictures and descriptions as he eats tacos at La Esquina in New York City and pork jowl and crème fraîche at Uchi in Austin, Texas.
In answering questions for us at SportsandFood.com, the man with the smoothest jumper in basketball tells us how he developed his love of food, which NBA player he’s eaten with the most, and how to enjoy the Redick food experience at Chipotle and all over Orlando.
SportsandFood.com: In an interview with Pat Forde, you mentioned how you grew up as a very picky eater. But now you’re eating pork jowls with pears, lemon crème fraîche and Brussels sprouts. How and when did that change?
J.J. Redick: I was never a very adventurous eater growing up, despite the fact that my mother is a nutritionist and my parents have always had a garden in our yard. When I was at Duke, I finally had an avocado — accidentally — on a turkey sandwich. I was hooked. Next thing I know, I couldn’t get enough guacamole. Avocado was the first thing I ever ate that was outside my box. As I finished up my time at Duke, I certainly wasn’t a “foodie” but I was learning to enjoy the finer things in the culinary world.
During my third year with the Magic, I took a trip with Chelsea (my girlfriend at the time and now my wife) to Mexico and we both tried some foods we had never tried before. At that point, February of 2009, I officially became a “foodie.” Now I will try almost anything and can enjoy some different foods, such as pork jowls.
SF: How has your diet changed from college to the NBA? How much involvement do the Magic have in players’ diets?
Redick: I eat better now than at Duke because healthy, sustainable food is more readily available. The Magic staff is not very involved in most players’ diets. The option for assistance and guidance is there, but I don’t use it. I have always eaten healthy and well. My wife and I cook 3 to 5 nights a week, and we generally stick to lean proteins and leafy greens. We both love pasta, but we have a special technique that allows us to make a “sauce” with a lot of flavor and not a lot of fat. We generally steer clear of any fried food and carefully monitor our dairy intake (which is generally high in fat). As with most things, moderation is key.