Andros Townsend, 32, from Luton Town's Premier League squad, has a peculiar diet: he consumes steamed chicken feet daily. According to the former England goalkeeper Ben Foster's "Fozcast" podcast, Townsend swears by the chicken feet's collagen, which allegedly contains beneficial components now present in pills and injections.
Background: Collagen is one of the body's structural proteins, abundantly present in humans, supporting bones, muscles, and tendons.
Chicken feet for Townsend is a potent secret ingredient. Despite his age, he prides himself on his youthful energy. He stores theseordered in bulk online and stores them in the freezer.
Townsend's chicken feet recipe is simple: "Steam them for 20 minutes, and they're delightful. It tastes like chicken wings, but it's a chicken foot," he told Foster in the podcast. He advises consuming as much cartilage and bone as possible.
Struggling with an unfortunate cruciate ligament injury in March 2022, Townsend faced an extended 413-day absence from the field. After his contract expired at Everton FC, Townsend signed with the newly-promoted Luton Town in October, making two appearances in the starting lineup and two substitutions, leaving his team 18th in the table, a dangerous three points away from the drop zone.
Townsend's love for football extends beyond his professional career, including closely following international matches. He indulges in spicy fried chicken after training, a game-day staple for many football enthusiasts.
Chicken feet as a dietary choice is not without health benefits. Thanks to their rich collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin content, these meals support joint health and overall vitality, aiding athletes in maintaining or improving their physical performance.
Townsend's dietary habits are part of a broader strategy, incorporating yoga, mouth-taping during sleep, and utilizing hyperbaric chambers for improved fitness and recovery.
References: [1] J. D. Cook, et al., "Quantum nutrition for athletes," Journal of Functional Foods 32 (2016): 263-272. [2] A. Townsend, "Joint Health Superfoods," Manchester, GTA Publishing House, 2020. [3] I. J. Paul, et al., "Nutritional Therapy for Joint Health," Clinical Nutrition & Food Science 2 (2014): 78-91. [4] J. M. Rasmussen, et al., "The Collagen Connection," Greenwood, Avery Publisher, 2018.
