Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams dials in on his diet — today’s ‘Hot Ones’ appearance aside

It’s not all that unusual for athletes to change their diet as they grow in their profession, but Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams took his nutritional regimen to another level this offseason.

“I cut out food groups,” he said. “I cut out a bunch of different things. We make our own loafs at the house, loafs of bread, to keep it simple and not putting (in) a bunch of sugar. These companies make it taste all sweet and nice and what we all love.”

Williams said he lost between 10 and 15 pounds in the offseason with the help of a nutritionist.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t eating healthy before, but he and his nutritionist really dialed in on his diet and filtered out a lot of everyday products — even some generally regarded as “healthy” at first blush.

“We make a lot more in house,” Williams said. “We get things from farms and not large produce companies that are putting all these different things in them. And just getting closer to the roots of food and where it’s coming from has helped me tremendously.”

He said the results have helped him move faster and smoother on the field.

Williams first talked about his eating overhaul in July. It called for “eating at certain times,” he said then. “Going to bed and not eating after 7. Just eating consistently, eating well.”

But more was required. Williams took tests that examined his gut health and function.

“I do blood testing four times a year to make sure (I’m taking the right) vitamins and supplements to be able to keep me healthy and make sure I’m not deficient,” he said. “I do a bunch of different tests internally to make sure that I’m functioning well inside first, and then it exuberates out after that.

“But eating well, not drinking Gatorades and stuff, lowering my sugar count is really big. So after that, it’s just being in Florida (to train) and sweating. … And sleeping.”

Williams has acknowledged that having some extra weight has helped him avoid injuries. He hasn’t missed any of his 34 games since being drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2024.

Still, he was listed as 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds when he was drafted, and the Bears list him at 226 pounds.

“I typically drop before the year, and then I pick it back up — not all of it — but I pick a certain portion of it back up when we get into season or right before season just to be able to take some hits,” Williams said. “But I drop to be able to feel comfortable, feel and get in shape easier, and then I get into season.”

So where does “Hot Ones” fit into this gastronomic makeover?

Williams took on the “Wings of Death” for an episode of the popular talk show that streamed Thursday morning on the First We Feast YouTube channel.

So did that count as a cheat day?

“It was more of an experiment,” Williams said with a laugh. “Only 12 wings. It was hot as (expletive).

“No, it was a good time. (Host Sean Evans) asked good questions. But, yeah, you can count it as a cheat day. It was a good day.”