We might just have to snag a pack the next time we head to the grocery store.
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Key Points
- Luke Combs starts his day with coffee, which he enjoys during intermittent fasting for weight loss.
- Combs prioritizes gluten-free meals and protein-packed snacks like Aloha Bars to support his health goals.
- The country star values simple, portable options to fuel his busy lifestyle.
Grammy-nominated country artist Luke Combs of “When It Rains It Pours” and covering “Fast Car” fame is pretty specific about the way he starts his day. In an interview with GQCombs discussed the 10 things he cannot live without, and high on the list was a really good cup of coffee.
“Today’s essential here is gonna be coffee,” Combs says as he starts his list. “Gotta have this every day. Any time we’re in a city, we try to find some local coffee to have.”
That’s pretty relatable, especially since coffee does more for your body than just waking it up—the drink has more than a few health benefits, including potential benefits for your brain and heart. (Plus, we all know how great a cup of coffee smells first thing in the morning.)
But Combs relies on coffee as part of his weight-loss journey, too. “I do intermittent fasting, so this [coffee] is about the only thing that I get to enjoy before noon every day,” Combs explains. “Coffee’s a big part of the things that keep me sane and definitely something that I can’t live without.”
Intermittent fasting is a popular strategy for weight loss, though research is mixed on its effectiveness.
Once Combs breaks his morning fast, he has a few other dietary rules he tries to follow. “Again, I know it doesn’t look like it, but most of the time, I’m gluten-free, so that would [include] bread, pasta, anything fried…,” Combs adds. “If I’m going to a Michelin-star dinner, I’m probably not gonna tell the server that I’m gluten-free, because I would rather just have the full experience from time to time. But, for the most part, I try to avoid it. “
While research connecting gluten-free diets to weight loss is pretty limited, it can help some people, like Combs, stick with a lower-carb diet. “I’m trying to drop some [pounds],” Combs adds, “it’s been a whole thing.”
Another tool Combs uses to stay healthy? Always having an easy-to-grab source of protein on hand. “I’m always looking for a good bar, and these are the ones that I’ve landed on: Aloha Bars—they are my absolute favorite,” Combs shares. “The macros are nice on ’em; they taste fantastic.”
Aloha Bars are plant-basedprotein bars that each pack 14 grams of protein and come in varieties like Chocolate Coconut Almond and Vanilla Almond Crunch. Combs appears partial to the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough variety during the interview, and it has 10 grams of fiber and just 5 grams of sugar.
And, while he’s sung that “Beer Never Broke [His] Heart,” there’s no mention of alcoholic beverages in Combs’ can’t-live-without list. Other must-haves for Combs? His collections of arrowheads and hats, as well as a good pair of headphones and some stylish sunglasses.
The country star is also a collector of turkey callers and walks through different types of callers and their uses in the interview. “So basically, I’m imitating a female turkey,” he says as he demonstrates using a mouth caller. “As we ramp up to turkey season, this is becoming something that’s driving everyone around me absolutely insane.”
While we may skip the turkey-calling practice, we’re big fans of coffee and protein bars, just like Combs. Both are simple, portable ways to start the morning—definitely worth adding to anyone’s can’t-live-without list.
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