Football Player Reveals High-Fat Diet That Helped Him Lose 92 Pounds

Zack Strength knows how to exercise and he knows how to eat huge plates of food, which have divided the internet.

The former defensive tackle for the USC Trojans, who got a masters in Marketing Communication, has put this knowledge into practice by sharing his calorific meals on social media, which has sparked a huge reaction and caused many to debate whether these meals can actually be good for you.

Strength has told Newsweek that due to the nature of his exercise and his build, the meals are perfect for what he is looking to achieve.

The fitness coach now helps others lose weight by developing programs along the same lines as he uses for his workouts.

Strength explained: "Eating this way has allowed me to lose a lot of weight, have amazing, stable energy levels, and think more clearly throughout the day. I feel better eating low-carb/keto, and I really like the foods that are compatible with this style of eating, so it is a win-win for me.

"I successfully lost 92 pounds cutting carbs after my football career ended. I was amazed that I was able to lose so much fat eating steak, eggs, butter, bacon, and other delicious foods.

"I would like to note that I don't only eat animal products, I like avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, kimchi, mushrooms, and spinach, too, which are all compatible with a low-carb style of eating."

Strength described what he would eat in a day, and why it contains a hefty amount of meat.

He said: "I typically eat three meals on lift days, and two meals on others. Depending on my goals, the amount of fat I eat will vary, but normally a pretty meat-heavy diet.

"Normally I do three full-body lifts per week, and a good day of eating might look like— breakfast: steak and eggs, lunch: cottage cheese, and dinner: salmon, avocado and/or cruciferous vegetables and kefir (which is a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt)."

Strength added: "I also enjoy drinking black coffee and mineral water throughout the day."

The photos of his meals which he posts on social media typically shows two huge ribeye steaks, along with six fried eggs and a good helping of butter melting on each steak.

This was enough for Twitter to post a warning to those reading his posts, warning that the diet followed by Strength might not be good for everyone.

Twitter added to his post: "High cholesterol can lead to chest pain, heart attack, and stroke. Cholesterol should be moderated to support a healthy diet."

In reaction to this, Strength told Newsweek: "I think that Twitter putting a message on my picture is a good thing. Not everyone who saw the picture has followed me long enough to know what my diet and lifestyle are like, and do not have the proper context.

"I normally keep my carb consumption pretty low, allowing me to eat more fat. It would not be a good idea for somebody to eat the same meals I do if they are consuming lots of carbs.

"Also of note, I am very active, lift intensely, and am 6'5", so I will naturally eat larger quantities than other people.

"Hopefully the message prompted people to do their own research on nutrition, resulting in them learning some things that will help them live a healthier and happier life."

It is not just meat and eggs though as Strength noted: "I also love good Italian food, so every year on my birthday I go to Little Italy and have stuffed shells and cannolis.

"And I always get cheesecake for my birthday cake—it's the best cake, and I'm not a fan of 'normal' birthday cakes.

"People always ask if I eat fruit. Though I don't eat it all too much, I really like dates, apples, and pineapples."

Strength added: "I often have a tablespoon of organic maple syrup—sometimes raw, local honey—prior to a lift for some quick carbs, along with a black coffee—normally an Americano or a nitro cold brew."

He finished by noting: "My style of eating works well for my lifestyle, and I enjoy it, but I understand it is not for everyone. I have helped people lose weight utilizing much higher-carb and lower-fat consumption than me."

Sports dietitian Roxana Ehsani, located in Miami, Florida, has warned that this diet should not be undertaken by everyone and that advice should be sought if considering going down this route.

Ehsani told Newsweek: "Just because a person is active, doesn't make them a fitness expert or nutrition. Before seeking diet, food, and nutrition advice, it's always important to make sure you receive advice from a qualified and trained nutrition professional, like a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN).

"A RDN will conduct a comprehensive nutrition assessment to first understand each person's individual needs—such as their medical background, health conditions, dietary restrictions, food allergies or intolerances, budget, and cultural preferences. Then will provide personalized recommendations that meet the unique person's health and nutrition goals, schedule, budget and dietary preferences."

Ehsani also warned that Strength's diet could bring on heart disease due to the nature of the cholesterol and saturated fat involved.

She continued: "This meal is very high in saturated fat coming from both the butter and steak, and low in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and healthy fats.

"A diet rich in saturated fat can raise one's bad LDL cholesterol and increase your risk for developing heart disease and stroke. High intake of red meat is also linked to numerous health conditions not only heart disease, but also cancer, diabetes and premature death.

"It also lacks carbohydrates, carbohydrates are an essential macronutrient, we need to consume daily, and is the only food group that provides active people and athletes with energy. Athletes need sufficient carbohydrates in their diet to adequately perform well.

"Being properly fueled as an athlete will help you train and perform at higher intensity, for longer durations and also prevents injury and sickness."

Ehsani continued: "Carbohydrates are found in nutrient dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, which all are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber helps keep our digestive tracts healthy and bowel movement regular, helps support heart health and blood sugar balance.

"This diet also lacks healthy fats, like essential omega-3 fats which help reduce inflammation, support both brain and heart health.

"Omega-3 fatty acids are found in nuts like walnuts, seeds like chia seeds and flax seed and also in seafood like wild Alaska salmon, which not only contains essential omega-3s, but also provides you a high-quality source of protein, so you can swap out the meat for a filet of salmon, and also contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, B12, calcium and zinc."

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