NEW ORLEANS – If, in fact, you are what you eat, then the Philadelphia Eagles are a champion-pedigree team that pays attention to every detail of their nutrition, their food intake, and the way they treat their bodies. This is why Stephanie Coppola's "Fuel Station" is such an integral part of the daily plan for each and every player.
Coppola, the team's Performance Nutrition Coordinator who has been with the Eagles since the 2018 season, is here in New Orleans with her seasonal associate, Grace Kennedy, making sure the Eagles are eating right and addressing their Super Bowl preparation properly. When the team is in Philadelphia, the "Fuel Station" is located just outside the locker room at the NovaCare Complex and players swear by it for their hydration, their pre- and post-practice shakes, and snacks (bars, fruit, etc.), and the nutrients they need every day to help them perform at a championship level.
"The guys are passing it constantly – whether it's before or after meetings, or after their lift or in their post-practice walk to the locker room – and so the location is perfect," Coppola said. "Going into practice and going into a lift you want to make sure they have enough fuel in their bodies. After practice, we do recovery shakes for the guys and that is something we do every day.
"The Fuel Station is for the players. I evaluate it every offseason and add new products, new flavors, and anything they need that is in addition to our cafeteria here at the NovaCare Complex."
Coppola also consults on a weekly basis with FLIK, the Eagles' kitchen and cafeteria services staff that provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the players and the coaching staff on a daily basis. The food is varied and delicious and nutritious for the entire organization to make sure the Eagles are eating "clean" on their way to practice.
"FLIK does a great job coming up with the menu – they've been creative and the food is great for the players and they love it – and every week I will pick a player for a Player Spotlight. Then I'll talk to the player and find out what his favorite food is, why it's his favorite food, and who makes it best, where the player is from. It gives everyone in the building and their teammates and coaches a little more of a chance to get to know each other.
"We want the players to eat here and enjoy it and look forward to meals whether we are in Philadelphia or on the road."
Coppola is able to test players for their hydration and weight and conducts body comps throughout the season and then tailors the program for the best performance. Does a player need more electrolytes because he's battling cramping? Does a player need more carbohydrates to address another issue?
Whatever the need, Coppola has the answer and the product to keep players at their best.
"I ask them and work to educate the players so that they know the benefits of eating for their specific needs," Coppola said. "Some of the veterans or players who come from the bigger colleges have an understanding, so they maybe don't need as much direction. Then there are some of the younger guys and players from smaller colleges that didn't have the resources to have a strong food and nutrition program. They generally really like to hear how a good food program and a meal plan will help them.
"What you put into your body affects your performance. The best part of this is when a player talks to me about something that is bothering him – maybe he has an upset stomach or he isn't sleeping well – and I tell him that he needs more of something and he follows the program and then comes back to me and tells me what a positive difference it makes. That's what we are all here for, to help the players perform at their best on the field."
Coppola's day begins as early as 6:15 AM and can run until as long as 7 PM and that's the business. The Eagles are in the Super Bowl – one more win is the goal for every team.
"The players are all different and what they do on the field is different, so their nutritional needs – what they eat and what they drink – is going to be different," Coppola said. "Seeing them out there playing well and winning is what the goal is for everyone here."
