Perhaps it crossed your mind while watching acts of derring do during the Winter Olympics – what do Olympic athletes eat?
Are they consuming green smoothies and beet juice?
Or eating burgers and pizza?
The reality is that the diets of Olympic athletes have become much more refined to give them that extra edge over their competitors.
Every little bit counts so consuming food that provides the correct amount of nutrition, calories and energy can make a huge difference.
Olympic athletes are consuming more of a cleaner diet than in years past – focusing on good lean protein like chicken, fish and eggs. Athletes are also drinking smoothies with protein powder and consuming power foods like flaxseed, quinoa and chia seeds.
The amount of food and calories consumed depends on their level of activity. A ski jumper requires the least amount of calories, about 1500, as they are using gravity as they ski down the hill. A speed skater requires a lot of calories, from 1800 to 3000 a day, as the energy required is much higher to have the speed needed to cover distance as fast as possible.
Cross country skiers need the highest amount, from 4,000 to 7,000 calories a day.
Fortunately for the athletes, there is much to choose from at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The selection in the dining halls is from foods around the world; halal, kosher, Italian, Asian and of course Korean. The Korean barbecue has become very popular along with the kimchi, bibibap and rice rolls.
There are cheeses, meat, fish like sea bass and salmon as well as tons of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Becoming more mindful of the foods we use for fuel, whether an athlete or not, can make a big difference in a person’s overall health.
