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David Haye

FPJ recently caught up with former boxing world champion David Haye to discuss how fresh produce is critical to his diet. Ahead of the exclusive interview in next week's FPJ (30 May) his strength and conditioning coach Ruben Tabares tells us a bit about himself and what can be done to improve the nation's health.

FPJ: Tell us about how you started working with David Haye?

Tabares: Well, I’ve been training David since about 2009. I was helping train him with Adam Booth, for the Nikolay Valuev fight. And ever since, I’ve been working with David, making sure that he’s as fit and as strong as humanly possible.

FPJ: Is your job mainly on the nutrition side or do you get involved in fitness and other areas?

Tabares: I’m his strength and conditioning coach and also his nutritionist. All of his boxing side is covered by his trainer, Adam Booth.

FPJ: What kind of nutrition tips could you give to producers and retailers looking to push the benefits of fresh produce?

Tabares:It’s about good diet, not stripping back. We need to educate people more that eating is fine – it’s not a crime. We just need to inform people more when it comes to eating quality foods. And there’s that whole thing about drinking more water. That’s so true. The first thing I do when I wake up is have about a litre and a half of water. You lose about that much when you’re sleeping at night, through perspiration and respiration. Then, I have vegetable juice with bee pollen, porridge oats, eggs cooked in coconut oil. Then I start my day and throughout, I have more vegetable juice, fish, soup, potatoes, that kind of thing.

FPJ: What's your favourite meal?

Tabares: I enjoy all of the food that I eat, because it’s all so varied. Because of my South American background, I like plantain, which I like to cook in coconut oil and have it with my meal. Because it’s sweet, I don’t feel like I need to have a dessert after my meal, like everyone else. I do have a sweet tooth, but I just try to ignore it.

See Interview with David Haye in FPJ's Sports Special, out 30 May