Pittsburgh Steelers' Diet Secrets Revealed

With training camp starting this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are working hard to get in shape. And, as Channel 11 found out -- the players are working very closely with one woman to improve their game. She's UPMC dietitian and Steelers nutritionist Leslie Bonci.

Bonci makes up food programs for many of the players.

"This is the equipment -- it's not the pads and the helmet -- it's what's going in to the body so they can be strong and they can be fast and they can last and they can win when they're on the field," said Bonci.

Bonci reveals the Steelers have a different diet than most, and some of their must-haves may seem a little strange.

"We've got a lot of guys who are salty sweaters. And, people who lose more salt tend to have more muscle cramps, so for some of them, they need to use more salt on their food -- maybe soy sauce or eat some pickles," said Bonci.

Pickles and soy sauce are just part of the plan. Bonci said the players need potato or pasta for fuel, and they always have a big salad bar and fruit selection at training camp.

Fluid is also critical. For men, Bonci said the requirement is 125 ounces of liquid a day -- 6 water bottles -- or 15 cups of fluid.

Right before games, many players turn to old fashioned chocolate milk.

Bonci has her stars on the team. Safety Troy Polomalu gets the broccoli award for being one of the healthiest. Since January, quarterback Charlie Batch has made some big changes and followed a strict plan from Bonci, starting with what he can no longer have.

"No. 1 calamari and No. 2 Caesar salads. She says you can have one or the other but not both, and that's something for me. I'm like, 'Why not,'" said Batch.

Batch has also stopped eating late night gummy worms and said at training camp, he'll be watching his back.

"I just know whenever we're in lunch, you look and maybe want to cheat. It just seems like as soon as you want to cheat and grab that food or dish that shouldn't have, she mysteriously appears, and you are just kinda standing there like, 'Hey Leslie how are you,'" said Batch.