JJ Watt reveals he ate a 7,500-calories-a-day diet as he struggles to find protein in England

Ex-NFL star and Burnley FC minority investor J.J. Watt has claimed that he 'can't find enough steak' in England as he used to eat 7,500 calories per day during his playing career.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year, who spent the majority of his career with the Houston Texans before retiring on the Arizona Cardinals, two years ago, was the first player to make 20+ sacks in multiple NFL seasons, as he explained the struggle of finding enough protein in the U.K. 

'One of the nicest parts about being retired is that I don't have to eat at that same level that I had to before,' Watt told former Premier League stars Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Ian Wright, and former Women's Super League great Jill Scott on the Stick to Football podcast, brought by Sky Bet. 

'It's an interesting thing being in England, finding enough protein over is difficult, the meals just don't have the same amount of protein, there is so much bread,' Watt, 35, continued. 'I need some steak and fish.' 

'When I was playing, my average intake was about 7,500 calories a day, and right now I'm on around 4,500 calories a day.'

J.J. Watt talking about his calorie intake throughout his NFL career (2011-2022) with Prem' stars

Watt said he would eat two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners every day while in the NFL

Opening up on his daily routines at the gym, the Wisconsin native, who played for the Badgers from 2008-2010 before going pro, said: 'I train weights four days a week and do cardio three days a week. 

'At my peak, it was two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, it was like a job, and it all had to be very healthy.' 

According to SportsEngine - a program backed by NBC Sports Next dedicated to a 'global reach on a mission to improve and promote youth sports' - the amount of calories a football player needs depends on his position and training. 

During two-a-day practices, football players need to eat about 5,000 calories per day - 2,500 less than Watt's intake - but, some need as much as 9,000 calories a day, the report, which was approved by the American Dietetic Association, mentioned. 

'Pregame foods should contain carbohydrate and protein (for example, spaghetti and meatballs, meat or cheese lasagna, or lean steak with baked potato or rice) and should not have a lot of fat (avoid fried chicken or fish, french fries or fried onion rings). 

'A large meal will take about 4 hours to leave your stomach, so allow plenty of time between the pregame meal and the game so your stomach will be able to empty before the game. 

'At game time, you want your blood to fuel your muscles; you don't want it going to your gut to digest your meal.'

JJ Watt was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.