Steelers players help cook up healthy meals for cancer patients

Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams had a slight look of trepidation as he prepared to take his first bite of a quinoa burger slider he had just helped prepare. He made up his mind to dive in and try it. Suddenly a smile crept over his face.

“Mmmm, I like it, I like it,” Adams said. “I don’t think it tastes like my normal cow (burger), but it’s good. I like it. I can do it.”

Quinoa is a flowering plant grown as a crop for its edible seeds which are rich in protein, dietary fiber, and B vitamins. It’s considered a low-carb rice substitute.

Adams and Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer were appearing as part of a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and UPMC Magee Womens Hospital healthy cooking demonstration for breast cancer patients and survivors. It was held Tuesday afternoon at former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch’s Best of the Batch Foundation in Homestead.

They also helped prepare dishes such as a cinnamon quinoa breakfast bowl and kale pineapple breakfast smoothie, as well as a honey crisp kale salad.

The UPMC Breast Cancer Program emphasizes the benefits of good nutrition and exercise for overall health during and after cancer treatment. And Adams and Hassenauer were happy to help on their scheduled day off. They assisted Jon Polley, executive chef, food and Nutrition Services at UPMC Magee and Angela Zaccagnini, a dietician at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Steelers executive chef Kevin Blinn was also on hand.

“It’s been good to be here with breast cancer survivors,” Adams said. “Everyone said the food was great. I was always a pretty big kale and spinach fan, so it was cool and I recently got into quinoa. Unfortunately, I’ve never really been in the kitchen but today it was fun. It was a very enjoyable day.”

Unlike Adams, Hassenauer likes to cook and said he does all of the meal preparation at home. He said he learned a lot during the demonstration about healthier eating habits.

“We emphasized a lot of the use of kale and quinoa. So, maybe I can utilize those in some of my new dishes,” Hassenauer said.

There were even some bragging rights on the line during a cleaning the kale competition involving separating the leaf from the stem between Adams and Hassenauer. J.C. ended up conceding.

“They’re doing great. I think they’re learning a lot about plant-based protein sources as well as good nutrition and dark leafy greens and more of a plant-based diet,” Zaccagnini said, adding that professional athletes can benefit from healthier eating habits the same way cancer patients can.

“I think diet for cancer patients and athletes can go hand in hand because good nutrition can work both for dealing with disease and infection and good performance on the field and any other professional games or just athletics in general,” Zaccagnini said.

Shawnishi Irvin, a 37-year-old breast cancer survivor from the Hill District, was dressed in a gold Steelers jersey. She was excited about the presence of a couple of Steelers players, but that wasn’t the only reason for her attendance.

“What brought me here today as a breast cancer survivor myself, was to be able to get some better nutrition and to be able to help others connect with other breast cancer survivors as well,” Irvin said.

Irvin was there with her partner Mark Harris, who sported a black Steelers jersey with running back Najee Harris’ number 22.

“Maybe we’ll try (the recipes) at home and see how they work,” he said. “Maybe the recipes will be something special for her. Hopefully she’ll be okay and then I’ll be okay.”

Lisa Szczepankowski, 51, Munhall, has metastatic breast cancer and was also hoping to come away with some healthy recipes.

“I was hoping to get some things that we can try that we don’t traditionally use to cook or traditionally eat,” Szczepankowski said. “Quinoa is definitely something we don’t cook with and don’t use. They’re saying you can do a lot of things with it and it’s healthy for you.”

Hassenauer said he was happy to be able to do what he could to help people like Szczepankowski.

“It’s a blessing to be able to be here and give back to them. They go through a lot. I’m glad I’m able to help them and give them support,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”

For his part, Adams said being involved in the healthy cooking demonstration helped take his mind off of the Steelers struggles this season.

“I think it’s always good for a player and person to step outside the box sometimes and, for me personally, an event like this is definitely a good place to be.”

Two more cooking with the Steelers events are scheduled for Oct. 18 at Acrisure Stadium from 2-3 p.m. and Oct. 25 at the Greater Pittsburgh YWCA on Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh from 4- 5:30 p.m.

The Steelers are joining the NFL’s promotion of A Crucial Catch campaign, an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer screenings.