Issue 145
September 2016
BAMMA 205lb champ Paul ‘Bearjew’ Craig reveals how he keeps his cravings in check
Q What does your diet typically consist of during fight camp
A I’ll have two chicken breasts for dinner, chicken breast for lunch. I’ll vary it up with some red meat. I don’t eat a lot of fish – I don’t like it. I stay away from pork as well. I do like tofu, even though I’m not a veggie. The Quorn stuff’s pretty good for something easy too. It’s quick, tastes good and it’s packed full of protein.
Q Do you allow yourself cheat days?
A It won’t be a cheat day, more like a cheat meal. I’ll maybe pop into Nando’s and grab something with a friend or family. But I don’t say, ‘On this day I’m going to splurge and eat whatever I want.’ Maybe I’ll take some milk in my coffee – that’s my cheat.
Q Is your diet different when you’re not in fight camp?
A I never want to be hungry in a fight camp or out of fight camp. That’s when you go to the shops and you say, ‘Oh, it’s only a chocolate bar.’ So I always prepare (my food). If I’m prepped for that day – my chicken breasts and vegetables are all cooked – then I don’t need to go anywhere that day. In fact, I wouldn’t call it a diet because I eat loads. But it’s all healthy stuff. I try to stay in shape and keep my weight down.
Q What do you refuse to be cheap with?
A Probably coffee. I like a nice, strong coffee. It’s something I won’t skimp on. I don’t like Nescafé or one of these high-street brands. I like a nice coffee.
Q After you make weight, do you like to celebrate with a special meal?
A My coach loves a Nando’s. No matter what time it is you make weight, or where it is, it’s always off to Nando’s with the guys from the gym. We grab some chicken, we grab some carbs, we have a good chat. It’s not even the food, it’s more of a brotherhood thing where we all get together and talk about what’s happening. But after my weigh-in I always have a Tupperware box, so when I go to Nando’s I’ve already fueled my body back up.
QUORN TO THE CORE
A 3.5oz serving of Quorn’s meat-free mince contains 14.5g of protein, which is more than double the amount found in wet tofu.
THE FACTS
Craig walks around at about 214lb and believes all fighters should fight close to their natural weight.
THE STATS
A grilled chicken burger from Nando’s contains a whopping 35.1g of protein and more than 40g carbs.
THE INFO
Research suggests coffee can help prevent diabetes and also lowers the risk of liver disease.
