Michael B. Jordan shared his go-to protein shake recipe, which is packed with ingredients linked to muscle building and improved recovery.
The “Black Panther” and “Creed” movie star told Business Insider that good nutrition plays a big role in how he trains for his athletes roles.
Jordan spoke to BI in an interview about the company’s partnership with bottled water brand Propel to provide more resources for community fitness in cities like Newark, Atlanta and Houston.
“I think it’s very healthy to have that community environment when you’re trying to achieve your fitness goals,” he said.
Jordan said his passion for fitness began on the basketball courts of his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, before stepping it up a notch in his latest role, hitting the heavy bag and lifting weights.
Jordan said whether he’s bulking up for a Marvel movie or getting buff for a professional boxer role, keeping his diet in check is key. Here’s what he eats while training:
Jordan’s protein shake recipe includes tart cherries, cinnamon, and sea moss
Jordan said his diet has always been high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and protein, and he often drinks shakes and smoothies to get a ton of nutrients in at once. Here are his favorite recipes:
- Protein powder. Jordan didn’t say which type, but both whey and plant-based protein powders are good for nutritional shakes.
- Tart Cherrywhich Some studies suggest it can help reduce muscle soreness and get you back to the gym faster.
- blueberry — They’re a good source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, and other plant-based nutrients called polyphenols that help fight disease.
- cinnamon In addition to enhancing flavor, evidence suggests it may help reduce inflammation and maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Leafy vegetables Adding vegetables like spinach to your smoothie will provide extra antioxidants, fiber, and minerals like iron.
- seaweed Sea moss is a nutritious, on-trend ingredient that some studies suggest may support a healthy metabolism. (Jordan is such a fan of the supplement that she started her own beverage company featuring sea moss.)
- Ashwagandha This herb supports muscle building and relieves anxiety by helping to manage the stress hormone cortisol.
- Burdock (Most often the root) is a plant that is rich in antioxidants, reduces inflammation, and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Other stars, including professional athletes, also swear by many of these ingredients and use them in their shakes and smoothies to enhance their performance.
Jordan’s diet is centered around lean proteins like turkey and lots of vegetables.
Jordan said his general tips for maintaining an athletic physique for a role include “healthy carbs, lean meat, lots of vegetables, high fiber and lots of water.”
One of his favorite foods is sweet potatoes, which are a good source of vitamins and fiber and help stabilize blood sugar better than faster-digesting carbs like white potatoes. His diet also includes plenty of ground turkey for protein to aid muscle growth, and vegetables like broccoli, asparagus and Brussels sprouts for nutrients.
The details vary from movie to movie: if you’re aiming for a leaner, more toned body, you might eat a little less and do a little more cardio, while building muscle might mean eating more foods like steak and rice and lifting heavier.
“I’m eating a lot to build muscle mass, which is a workout in itself,” Jordan said.
