Meet The Private Chef Behind Implementing Rishabh Pant's Performance-Based Nutrition Plan

Since the time India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been back to playing cricket, one understands that everything around him related to his fitness and recovery has been very strict and tailor-made. In terms of nutrition too, Pant now has a private chef named Akshay Arora, the founder of Mumbai-based Neat Meals, who travels with him for his cricket commitments. Arora has the all-important responsibility of carefully monitoring and managing Pant's dietary needs in a partnership with his nutritionist Shweta Shah.

"Rishabh used to go to hotels, but we weren't getting good chefs, which affected the ability to follow the nutrition plan for him. I told his manager that we were not progressing as planned, and that's how we got Akshay on board. With him, we were assured that Rishabh was eating clean, tailored meals and not consuming processed foods," said Shweta to IANS.

Shweta, who was also in charge of Pant regaining his groove via a meticulous nutrition plan when recovering from various injuries suffered in a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, also emphasised on Pant eating anti-inflammatory foods and hydration for enhancing the process of quicker recovery between games.

"For instance, I might just mention 'chicken' in the diet plan, but Akshay would create a variety of dishes that we had never thought of, keeping the diet interesting while maintaining the nutritional integrity.

"We tried this for only for one or two months, starting from end of January 2024. But now he just wants to keep on continuing. Having a private chef, it ensures consistency, quality and a performance focused approach for a cricketer like him," she added.

Arora, a private chef who focuses on athlete nutrition, faces the crucial task