WNBA’s Dearica Hamby Shares Her Go-To Snacks (Exclusive)

With the WNBA finals starting tonight, checking in with former Las Vegas Aces player and all-star Dearica Hamby last week was coincidentally perfect timing. Now a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Hamby has had perhaps her best season in the league this year, achieving her highest field-goal percentage and the most points she’s scored in a season—all while balancing motherhood.

While the Sparks’ season has come to a close, Hamby’s staying busy with her recent partnership with MegaFood. Hamby chatted with EatingWell about the nutrients she prioritizes as an athlete and a mom, made easy with MegaFood’s supplement products. Plus, learn the Olympic bronze medalist’s go-to meals on game day, her Papa John’s order and more below.

Why partner with MegaFood?

Having two kids now, I don’t tend to pour my energy into a lot of things unless I really can connect with it and be authentic about it. I’ve turned on other brands before just because it didn’t feel right, but when MegaFood reached out to me, it was just a natural connection. I just believe in what they’re doing to support women athletes and what they stand for, I really appreciate it.

What nutrients do you like to prioritize in your day?

I start my day with the [MegaFood Blood Builder] iron supplement and the [MegaFood Women’s] multivitamin. I prioritize my kids’ breakfast because they eat a little bit different than I do. I give them mini pancakes, yogurts, cheese and grapes and peanut butter and jellies, so then sometimes I forget to eat myself. I can’t always control the food around me, especially when I’m on the road, so it’s important to make sure I’m getting my nutrients by including the multivitamin. 

How do you prioritize “me time” in your day?

I set my alarm for 6:45, but I don’t try to get my kids up until like 7:10 or 7:15, so that’s usually when I get on the computer. I haven’t had coffee since I started taking supplements, but I usually will have some water, take my vitamins and just have a little “me time.” I check my email and scroll on social media for a little bit before I wake the kids up and get their day started.

Any favorite pre-game or post-game meals that keep you fueled?

It fluctuates and depends on if I’m on the road or if I’m at home. I try to eat pasta or rice-heavy things, so when I’m at home, I do Bachi Yaki. It’s like hibachi, and then that usually gets me through to the game. Sometimes at halftime, I’ll have apple sauce or some sort of snack. Post-game, it fluctuates. On the road, food is provided so it’s a little easier to just eat, but a lot of times my adrenaline is usually so high from the games it’s hard to eat.

Do you have go-to foods or snacks that you keep on hand for yourself and your kids?

We all like Uncrustables, but they are different in their style of eating. Amaya is more into pizza, chicken fingers, those sorts of things. Legend is more into his vegetables, his cheeses, his crackers. They both take kid’s multivitamins, but they don’t know it—they get it crushed into their apple sauces.

What does “eating well” mean to you?

I think it’s different for everybody. I think people’s bodies adapt and adjust to different things. For me, it’s more about eating clean, but I don’t completely cut out the “bad” things because with my lifestyle, it can be hard at times. I have to order Papa John’s sometimes because that’s the only thing available at night, but I think I feel more comfortable and confident in doing that with my MegaFood supplements, because I can always control that. I can wake up in the morning and take those, and then when I go to sleep I can take those, so that definitely helps me feel a little bit more comfortable to not fully dive into clean eating all the time.

So on that note, what’s your Papa John’s order?

Pepperoni and cheese… I don’t use dips. I know a lot of people like the garlic sauce, but I haven’t gotten into that.

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