Start with the salad. Work your way down the line to that day’s proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Fill four plates to fill up your stomach.

Several Virginia football players have discussed their four plate minimum instructions this spring as they try to add weight and muscle to their frame. Primarily under the guidance of Randy Bird, UVA’s director of sports nutrition, and Frank Wintrich, director of football performance, the Cavaliers are trying to increase their size and strength on the field.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. We’re not talking plates of chips and cookies here.

”When I go to the dining hall, just however much I can eat until I’m stuffed, that’s how much I’ve got to eat,” Virginia linebacker Jordan Mack said. ”It’s very hard. I stuff myself a lot. There’s a lot of days where I’m going back to my dorm and I’ve just got to lay down and let the food digest.”

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