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6 Healthy Foods Every UFC Fighter Eats That You Should Have in Your Diet

Medically reviewed
Our Review Process
Our content undergoes a rigorous editorial process, including fact-checking and clinical review by qualified medical experts.
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Our Editorial Team
Lisa Valente (Nutritionist), M.S., RD
AUTHOR
Laine Greenawalt
MEDICAL ADVISOR
by Laine Greenawalt
Laine Greenawalt ✔ Verified Expert
Laine Greenawalt is a Registered Dietitian passionate about assisting athletes of all ages, shapes, and sizes attain their most attainable via ideal nutrition. She has…
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—Written by Lisa Valente (Nutritionist), M.S., RD
Lisa Valente (Nutritionist), M.S., RD
Lisa Valente is an enlisted dietitian and nourishment supervisor. She learned at the College of Vermont, where she finished her undergrad concentrates on in sustenance, food science and dietetics. Know More. Learn about our editorial process.
READ MORE →
Updated on March 19, 2026
Why This Was Updated
We continuously monitor the health landscape and update our articles to reflect the latest evidence.

Updated on March 19, 2026

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—Published on November 7, 2023
Our editorial process ensures that the information we provide is well-researched and reliable. Learn about our commitment to quality in our editorial policy.
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The Fast Facts

  • It can be a great drink that will help you focus better when you need to put in long hours at work.
  • You can see sunflower seeds are often included in fighters’ diets as they can boost their energy levels and reduce the stress they experience from training and fighting.
  • If you follow top UFC fighters you probably have read about their diets as well which are important for their physical preparation for their upcoming matches and affect the latest UFC odds of their fights.
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It’s no surprise that UFC fighters must keep their health up and maintain a fit lifestyle. While they exercise a lot, they also give importance to their diet and what they put in their bodies daily.

As fighters should stay fit to fight in matches, they require more nutrients and energy than a regular person. There are many things you can take from a UFC fighter’s diet that may help you live a good life.

You should regularly eat healthy food and maintain an active lifestyle. You will notice changes in your body and performance when following a healthy diet. If you follow top UFC fighters you probably have read about their diets as well which are important for their physical preparation for their upcoming matches and affect the latest UFC odds of their fights.

While you may know the basic healthy foods you need, very few people eat them with dedication. You should look after yourself as staying healthy is a lifelong task that never ends. Taking some tips and recommendations from a UFC fighter’s diet may help you live a prosperous life.

Dark Berries.

Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are healthy for you as they have several benefits, ranging from boosting your brain health to fighting diseases. UFC fighters often include these in their diets as they are also known to help you recover faster from an injury.

Sunflower Seeds.

All seeds are, without a doubt, nutritious and healthy for you. You can see sunflower seeds are often included in fighters’ diets as they can boost their energy levels and reduce the stress they experience from training and fighting. Unless you do heavy physical exercise every day, you won’t need to reduce exercise-induced stress, but don’t worry, sunflower seeds have other benefits and can help you a lot.

Sunflower seeds can reduce inflammation and improve your heart’s health. They come in shells which should be taken off before eating and can be eaten raw or roasted. It’s alright if you don’t like sunflower seeds, as eating them alone isn’t the only option. They can be taken with something else, e.g., salads or oatmeal, or even mixed into baked goods.

Coffee.

coffee
Coffee

Have you spent your life thinking coffee is extremely unhealthy? Well, you thought wrong. Coffee can actually be a healthy drink for you if consumed in small amounts. UFC fighters want to work hard and give their all, so they drink coffee from time to time. It helps them train for longer hours and makes them feel energized.

You can also feel rejuvenated and pumped after drinking some coffee. Moreover, coffee boosts your concentration levels and helps in decreasing any muscle pain. It can be a great drink that will help you focus better when you need to put in long hours at work.

Green Leafy Vegetables.

spinach
Spinach

Green vegetables like spinach, kale and lettuce have several vitamins and minerals, and help fighters improve their performance. You should also think about switching to a green-based diet if you want to maintain your energy.

Potatoes.

Potatoes are one of the most common and cheapest foods that can be found anywhere. Contrary to popular belief about them being solely carbohydrates, potatoes are healthy and have many of the nutrients an athlete’s body requires, just like green leafy vegetables. They can boost a fighter’s energy levels when they work out or fight in matches.

You can also get the benefits of potatoes by including them in your diet. As they are dense in nutrients, they will also make you feel full faster.

Water.

This goes without saying but it’s extremely important that you drink loads and loads of water every day. UFC fighters drink a lot of water every day because they lose lots of fluids by working out. However, everyone should drink a lot of water every day to maintain their body’s water levels.

You may often think that you drink plenty of water throughout the day, but many people don’t realize that they do not drink enough. When you are busy with your daily routines, you may only remember to drink water when you are starting to get dehydrated.

You must keep drinking a lot of water throughout the day because your body loses more fluid than you realize. Try to drink water even when you aren’t thirsty, so you don’t become dehydrated.

Bottom Line.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has always been important and everyone needs to work on this. While you may not understand the harmful effects in the present, you might suffer a lot in the future and pay the price for leading an unhealthy life.

It might be challenging to completely change your eating habits and shift to a nutritious diet. In that case, you can make gradual changes and adapt to a healthy and active lifestyle at your own pace.

Last reviewed on

How we reviewed this article:

🕖 HISTORY

Our team of experts is always monitoring the health and wellness field, ensuring that our articles are updated promptly as new information emerges. See Our Editorial Process

Current Version
Mar 19, 2026

Written By: Lisa Valente, M.S., RD

Reviewed By: Laine Greenawalt

Nov 7, 2023

Written By: Lisa Valente, M.S., RD

Reviewed By: Laine Greenawalt

The dietary recommendations provided here are based on research and expert review. Individual needs vary — please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist before changing your diet. Know More

Lisa Valente (Nutritionist), M.S., RD

Author
Lisa Valente is an enlisted dietitian and nourishment supervisor. She learned at the College of Vermont, where she finished her undergrad concentrates on in sustenance, food science and dietetics. Know More. Learn about our editorial process.

Laine Greenawalt

Dietitian
Laine Greenawalt is a Registered Dietitian passionate about assisting athletes of all ages, shapes, and sizes attain their most attainable via ideal nutrition. She has…

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