What Jesse Palmer Eats on Set of ‘The Bachelor’

Whether you know him from The Bachelor franchise, college football Saturdays or Holiday Baking Championship, Jesse Palmer has likely graced your television screen. But the charming host started his career as a NFL quarterback in the early 2000s—so naturally, when he’s not hosting our favorite shows, he’s hosting sports viewing parties at his home.

In this exclusive interview with EatingWell, Palmer shares what his ideal Super Bowl party spread looks like. Spoiler: he has recently partnered with Heluva Good! for their limited-edition launch of French Onion Amber Ale with Harpoon Brewery, so expect that on the table—Palmer says he’s a “big fan” of it. Plus his advice for new hosts, the snacks he swears by for long days on set, his abhorrence for pineapple on pizza and more below.

While on set of The Bachelor, do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you swear by to help keep you energized?

I would say fruits, trail mixes, protein shakes, and I have a penchant for dark chocolate squares. Little snacks throughout the day help. Sometimes on set, we have long, long hours. Our first rose ceremony on The Bachelor franchise is the longest night in television. We start that at 8 p.m. and we get done at 8 a.m. and you’re just going 12 hours over the course of the night. As much as you want to, you cannot eat just pizza throughout the night, something else has got to be able to sustain you and hold you through. So snacks, and maybe an espresso or two, those are the things that generally give me long-lasting energy and also keep me and keep my brain focused, which is really important. For me, brain food is the most important thing when I’m on set.

Favorite fruit?

I’m a big berry fan. Any kind of berry. I’m picking on blueberries, raspberries and blackberries as much as I can. The seeds in the blackberries become a problem in my teeth for the camera, but it’s well worth it to me. Any berry to me is generally a go-to.

Any favorite quick meals that you can count on for busy days?

Greek yogurt with granola and a drizzle of honey. You can make it fast, it’s easy to find and we usually have it on set. I have it in my trailer, I always have it in the hotel wherever we are traveling around the world, and I feel like it’s breakfast, lunch and could be a late snack. You can eat it at three or four different times throughout the day.

What does your ultimate Super Bowl party spread look like?

Having a viewing party to me is about variety. It’s no different than investments; you have to have a blended portfolio. It’s no different than a playbook in football; you have to have a lot of everything. A big bowl of chips in the middle, and other dippables. I like to add veggies to mix it up. It needs a lot of different flavors of dips and a lot of different flavors of beer as well. It’s all about just having a lot of different options for everyone who’s going to be coming over. I know in my family, everybody has different tastes.

For those just starting to host their own gatherings, do you have any entertaining tips that first-timers should know?

When I started hosting viewing parties around this time of year, I generally had food that I liked, and I wasn’t necessarily considering what everybody else might like. So then I would text everybody and I would ask what they wanted, and that was extremely time-consuming. I’d say now, I just try to have different options and have a variety. You’re probably going to have a lot of leftovers, but it’s better to have more leftovers than not have enough of something.

Could you talk more about your partnership with Heluva Good! ahead of Super Bowl season? 

I’m really excited to be partnering with Heluva Good! and getting ready for the big game by taking it to the next level. With me, football season is the best time of year. It’s my favorite time of year every single season, and I love viewing parties, especially for the big game. I love doing it with friends and families, and it always comes down to having great snacks as well. Heluva Good! dips are a staple in my household, I’m a huge fan. They will be center stage at our upcoming viewing party in a couple of weeks. We do it simple every season: it’s chips, dips and beer. You can’t name a better combo. 

Any food hot takes? Least favorite foods?

Nothing’s coming to mind right off the top of my head…throw some things at me though, and I’ll tell you if I agree.

Pineapple on pizza?

Okay, stop! No. I know I’m Canadian, and I found out recently that it was actually invented in Canada. Like, has anyone ever grown a pineapple in Canada? But leave it up to us to think that’s a good idea! And I’m a fan of savory and sweet, love that combination, but absolutely hate it on pizza. I know that’s a very polarizing topic. I will never order a pineapple pizza. The first thing you said is it; that completely hit a nerve.

What does “eating well” mean to you?

Everything in moderation. Playing pro sports, I’ve tried so many different diets and over time, I’ve gotten really, really strict with what I was eating, trying to restrict things from entering my body. I think what I found over time is that you have to treat yourself from time to time. It’s really, really hard to hold on to a strict habit, so to me, eating well is what makes you feel good. It’s what makes you happy. And I know for me personally, to achieve that, it’s just moderation in all things, including food. Food, to me, is one of the great joys of life, and I think it’s worth experiencing all of it.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.