AFL player and TikTok chef Christian Petracca has returned to the kitchen after undergoing surgery on his shocking injuries.
The 28-year-old Demons star is recovering at home after surgery to repair four broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen, sustained in a marking contest during the King’s Birthday loss to Collingwood.
Taking to TikTok a few days after being discharged from ICU, Petracca shared his eating habits while he recovers post-injury.
He revealed he is eating meals that reduce inflammation and support overall immune health, including porridge and soup.
And the Norm Smith Medalist is relying on his fiancée Bella Beischer to help him with the cooking.
‘I’m not really allowed to do much at the moment so Bella has been helping me out with some of the heavy lifting,’ he revealed.
‘Sometimes I have enough energy to cook, and other days I just have to chill out and take it easy.’
The 28-year-old revealed friends and family had also been sending him food to help out during the tough period.
Melbourne midfielder and TikTok chef Christian Petracca has returned to the kitchen after undergoing surgery on shocking injuries
In June, Petracca gave an emotional TV interview that saw him almost break down in tears as he opened up about the toll his injury has taken on his loved ones – and revealed a new detail about his health battle.
‘The first few weeks were pretty traumatic, to be honest,’ he told Fox Sports’ AFL 360 show.
‘[I was in] ICU, into a ward, and then in and out of hospital.
‘I got rushed back into hospital about a week ago early in the morning for a few check-ups. I woke up with a few complaints and went straight to hospital.
The 28-year-old is recovering at home after surgery to repair four broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen, sustained in a marking contest during the King’s Birthday loss to Collingwood
Taking to TikTok a few days after being discharged from ICU, the footy star shared his eating habits while he recovers post-injury
‘It’s been quite stressful, it’s something I’ve never experienced.
‘My first year I did my ACL [anterior cruciate ligament in the knee] and I was a bit young and naive and brash and didn’t understand the severity of the injury. Now, at 28, it’s a lot different.’
Petracca then struggled to hold back tears as he revealed the impact on Beischer and family after he had to isolate himself for the first 10 days he spent at home in order to guard against infection.
‘I’m getting quite emotional thinking about it… probably more on how it’s impacted my fiancée. That’s probably been the hardest thing, to be honest,’ he said.
The Norm Smith Medalist is relying on his fiancée Bella Beischer to help him with the cooking
‘It’s been challenging for both of us, but we’re getting through it.
‘The support I’ve received from everyone, it’s been remarkable – my fiancée, my parents, my family, her parents, my friends, the whole footy world – it’s been awesome.
‘But it’s still really raw for me.’
Petracca proposed to Beischer in Lake Como, Italy in October of 2022.
‘I’m not really allowed to do much at the moment so Bella has been helping me out with some of the heavy lifting,’ he revealed
