COLUMBUS — A 28-day weight-loss challenge for Pablo Fields turned into a permanent diet for his son.
Pablo Fields was packing on the pounds this summer and wanted to lighten up, so he decided to do a vegan cleanse. Justin Fields thought, “Why not?” and gave it a whirl, along with his stepmother and sister. Twenty-nine days later, the Ohio State quarterback was still eating a vegan-only diet, except fish “once in a blue moon.”
“I just liked how I felt after that, and I just kept going on from there,” Justin Fields said. “I feel great, my body feels great, and I feel faster and stronger.”
His game certainly hasn’t suffered, as Justin Fields is now the odds-on-favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Through three games, he has thrown 11 touchdown passes and 11 incomplete passes. He’s accounted for 13 total touchdowns, completing 86.7 percent of his pass attempts for 908 yards and zero interceptions.
Pro Football Focus grades Justin Fields as the top quarterback in college football. His passing efficiency rating of 222.4 would shatter the record set by Joe Burrow (202) last season. The Buckeyes, which own the nation’s fourth-ranked offense, have won their three games by a combined score of 139-69.
“I think it’s what I was supposed to do,” Justin Fields said. “Of course, [the stats] are a little bit crazy. I didn’t expect them to be what they are now. But it’s definitely not surprising by the way I worked in the offseason. From all the work I put in and all the time I spent on the field, it’s paying off right now.”
Partial credit goes to his strict diet. Justin Fields purposely shed a few pounds — from 232 to 218 — and cut a few percentage points off of his body fat. He said he’s quicker, stronger, and more agile, a nightmare scenario for opposing defensive coordinators and Big Ten defenders.
“He made a commitment, because he wanted to be a little bit leaner,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. “He wanted to take care of himself even better, wanted to be faster.”
Justin Fields prepares his own breakfast, typically a bagel with vegan cream cheese and strawberry jelly and a protein shake or smoothie. A plant-based lunch and dinner are prepared with insight from Ohio State nutritionist Kaila Olson, often including vegetables, fruits, rice, tofu, impossible burgers, sushi rolls, and vegan pizza.
The diet was initially met with skepticism by Olson and strength coach Mickey Marotti, unsure if Justin Fields would get enough protein. But those fears were quickly allayed with a small dose of research. Vegan and plant-based diets have been embraced by athletes across different sports, with Tom Brady being the most prominent ambassador.
Improved stamina, higher endurance, reduced body fat, and faster recovery from injury are among the talking points.
“I think it’s a misconception that you can’t get enough calories from a vegan diet,” Olson said. “You can get all the protein sources and everything you need from foods that are vegan. A lot of them are soy products — tofu, tempeh, beans. As long as you’re eating all of that as an athlete and getting your protein sources, it can be just as many calories as a regular diet.”
There’s a need to eat more consistently throughout the day to keep Justin Fields’ weight at an appropriate level. But the leaner, more sleek Justin Fields is a better version of the All-American and reigning Big Ten offensive player of the year.
Wilson said Justin Fields is a more complete player, a statement that’s hard to argue after the first three weeks, while Marotti believes leaner is better because it translates to speed.
In the past decade, veganism has gained members as people become more health-conscious and a segment of society attempts to shun animal-based diets citing ethical and climate change concerns. The rise in popularity has contributed to a plethora of non-dairy options.
Olson is quick to indicate, however, that going vegan doesn’t guarantee a healthy diet — chips and Oreos are vegan. It still requires willpower. The items Justin Fields misses most are chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese.
“Really, just kids’ meals, to be honest,” he said, with a smile. “I wasn’t a fancy guy.”
Sticking to the plan isn’t difficult for the disciplined Justin Fields. If he knows he’s going to benefit, a determination will take over. The diet is fully incorporated into his lifestyle. When he approves of a new meal at an area restaurant, Justin Fields will excitedly tell Olson.
Teammates aren’t shy in chiding their star quarterback. But linebacker Terajda Mitchell is a convert, as is — remarkably — head coach Ryan Day.
“They have their own individual process for getting to maximum performance, and everyone is different,” Day said. “Justin, I think in this offseason, has done one heck of a job. Not that he wasn’t in great shape last year, but it’s kind of what J.K. [Dobbins] did the year before. He got rid of a lot of bodyweight, he still got stronger, and part of that is your diet. Everyone needs to adjust differently. And Justin’s been doing what he thinks is best.”
Some vegan meals might not taste so swell, Justin Fields readily admits, but he will sacrifice his taste buds for on-field performance. And his family is happy to tag along.
“We had fun with it,” he said, “and I think many members benefited from it.”
First Published November 14, 2020, 3:56 p.m.
