Australian NBA star Ben Simmons, isn’t just a three-time All-Star and playmaker for the Philadelphia 76ers. In his ‘spare’ time (between training, travelling, games and repeat) the 24-year-old also adds philanthropy to his packed schedule — with this year’s launch of the Ben Simmons Family Foundation — but with a daily focus on fuelling his body for success on the basketball court, it’s a wonder how he finds the time for it all.
Recently we spoke to Simmons to find out what his typical day on a plate looks like, and you’ll be interested to know it’s packed with chef-made dishes, buttermilk pancakes and Aussie-inspired meals — chicken parma, included!
Breakfast
Mini homemade buttermilk pancakes with pure maple syrup, organic fried eggs, maple bacon from Whole Foods, always fruit and I love passionfruit; it really reminds me of home. I also ALWAYS have one of my mum’s famous banana milkshakes most mornings, extra thick.
Mid-morning snacks
It depends on where I’m at, usually at that time I am at the training facility. I’ll always grab a piece of fruit or protein shake if I’m feeling hungry mid-morning.
Lunch
I have a great guy, Chef Graham, who prepares my food for me, so every day is different with lunch and dinner — he is always creating different options. Growing up in Australia we are surrounded by so many different types of cuisines and I grew up experiencing all of them. A lunch for me can be anywhere from a grass-fed beef burger on a brioche bun, to Middle Eastern lamb kabobs with couscous or a chicken parma (but the best chicken parma is back home for sure).
Afternoon snacks
Usually a fruit plate.
Dinner
I really like surf and turf; my favourite is grilled Aussie lamb chops with a lobster risotto, or lamb cutlets with mash (like my mum would make). When I went to school at LSU I was introduced to crawfish boils, and they are one of my favourite dinners. Graham will overnight [get] crawfish from the Bayou and cook them with sausage, potatoes and corn on the cob — my friends and I love it — I can eat pounds and pounds of that.
Dessert
I have a sweet tooth, so love my desserts. One of my favourites is a caramel slice or just a simple chocolate chip cookie.
On game day, what changes do you make to your diet?
I will eat my regular breakfast and then in the afternoon (if it’s a night game) I’ll eat a salad with protein; I like a mixed green salad with goat’s cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries, parmesan crisps and fresh balsamic vinaigrette with grilled pasture-raised chicken breast — I like to stay feeling light on game day. I am always focused on drinking my smart water as well, I have to stay hydrated.
When training, how do you like to fuel your body?
My diet doesn’t drastically change at any point of the year, I eat always with a focus on fuelling my body for performance. I am constantly trying to get enough calories to keep my weight and muscle mass high during the season, but with the amount of running and sweating we do that’s always a challenge.
How does your diet vary during offseason?
During the offseason I’m giving my body time to heal, rejuvenate and then also get ready for the next season. I try really hard to consume a lot more calories during the offseason to help with building muscle.
The Ben Simmons x Woolmark merino wool T-shirts are available exclusively on HBX.com with 100 per cent of all profits going to the Ben Simmons Family Foundation.