- Actor Michael B. Jordan said training for an athletic physique involves plenty of protein and fiber.
- His protein shake recipe includes sea moss, tart cherry, blueberries, cinnamon, and ashwagandha.
- The ingredients are linked to health benefits like reduced muscle soreness and better performance.
Michael B. Jordan shared his go-to recipe for a protein shake, and it's packed with ingredients linked to better gains and faster recovery.
The star of movies like "Black Panther" and the "Creed" series told Business Insider that good nutrition is a big part of his training for athletic roles.
Jordan spoke to BI in an interview about his partnership with bottled water brand Propel to help bring more resources for community fitness to cities like Newark, Atlanta, and Houston.
"I think that kind of community environment is super healthy to have when you're trying to achieve fitness goals," he said.
Jordan said his passion for fitness started on the basketball courts in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. He's since leveled up to hitting the heavy bag and lifting weights for recent roles.
Whether he's bulking up for a larger-than-life Marvel movie or getting lean and muscular to portray a pro boxer, Jordan said keeping his diet dialed in is key. Here's what he eats while training.
Jordan's protein shake recipe includes tart cherry, cinnamon, and sea moss
Jordan said his diet is consistently high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, and protein, and often includes a shake or smoothie to get a big boost of nutrients at once. His go-to recipe includes:
- Protein powder. Jordan didn't specify what kind, but both whey or plant-based protein powders can work well in a nutritious shake.
- Tart cherry, which can help reduce muscle soreness so you can get back to the gym faster, some research suggests.
- Blueberries — a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and other plant-based nutrients called polyphenols that help fight disease.
- Cinnamon isn't just a flavor boost, but may decrease inflammation and help maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels, according to evidence.
- Leafy greens like spinach add more antioxidants, fiber, and minerals like iron to a smoothie.
- Sea moss is a trendy, nutrient-dense ingredient that some studies suggest can help support a healthy metabolism (Jordan is such a fan of the supplement that he launched his own beverage company featuring sea moss)
- Ashwagandha is an herb that may support muscle-building and ease anxiety by helping manage the stress hormone cortisol.
- Burdock (most often the root) is another plant rich in antioxidants and linked to lower inflammation and stable blood sugar.
Other stars, including pro athletes, swear by many of these ingredients and use them in shakes and smoothies for better performance too.
Jordan's diet is high in lean proteins like turkey and lots of veggies
Jordan said his general approach to fueling an athletic physique for his roles is "healthy carbs, lean meats, a lot of vegetables, high fiber, a lot of water."
One of his go-to foods is sweet potatoes, a good source of vitamins and fiber, which can lead to more stable blood sugar than quicker-digesting carbs like white potatoes. His meals also include lots of ground turkey for protein to support muscle growth, and veggies like broccoli, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts for nutrients.
The specifics depend on the movie — if he's trying for a leaner, more defined look, he'll be eating slightly less and doing a bit more cardio, while building more muscle means loading up on more food like steak and rice and lifting heavy.
"Gaining a lot of muscle mass, I'm eating a lot, which is an exercise all in itself," Jordan said.
