1. Meat
In an interview with American speed skater Maame Biney she proudly proclaimed that he favorite food was “meat. Any kind of meat.” While not every Olympian is probably as keen on any old kind of meat as Maame is, meat can be a vital part of a training diet. We all know that protein is vital for building muscle, and that makes protein-packed meat meals a great choice for many athletes. According to athlete Andrew Knight New Canaan meat is a great staple for any training diet because of its high protein content and relative ease of preparation.
Since this year’s Olympics are taking place in South Korea, traditional Korean barbeque has been a big hit with many of the Olympians. This is a great choice, not only for flavor but because of the protein-packed nutrients it contains.
2. Beetroot Juice
Beetroot juice has surprising properties that may help athletes recover from training and events. The juice works by helping your body use oxygen more efficiently. Olympians are using this bright red drink in their training programs by drinking it before and after their workouts. While preliminary studies haven’t produced iron-clad results, many athletes are willing to try it in order to help their performance. Andrew Knight New Canaan says that he might think about trying it himself!
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is packed with fiber, nutrients, and is easy to eat even on a nervous stomach. Not only is oatmeal filling, it’s also something that can be found easily in many places. Athletes depend on these types of foods while traveling for competition or training.
4. Carbs
It’s long been known that athletes need carbohydrates to fuel their performance. Endurance sports like cross-country skiing, long-distance speed-skating, and the biathlon are all sports that require somewhat extreme carbohydrate loading before an event. Carbohydrates can be obtained from potatoes, whole wheat bread, pasta, some fruits and sweet potatoes. Pre-feeding carbohydrates can help endurance athletes store energy that their bodies and muscles need to complete long races and events.
5. Splurge Foods
Splurge foods are an essential part of any training plan. A splurge food is different for every athlete in training and can range from berries with whipped cream to donuts. It’s important for us to remember that these Olympians are, in fact, real people, and many of them are quite young. Training at an Olympic level is incredibly stressful and making room for a training meal plan for splurge foods, or even drinks, is a vital part of the success of a plan. No one wants to feel deprived, and these athletes certainly deserve a little caloric splurge every now and then. Snowboarder Chole Kim has been eating and tweeting, her way through the 2018 Olympics detailing many of her favorite splurge foods like churros and ice cream.
6. Nuts
Nuts, like meat, pack a powerful protein punch. However, unlike meat nuts are easy to carry and eat at any time. Adding nuts to breakfasts, lunches or dinners gives salads or vegetable based meals an extra dose of protein. Nut milk also stands in for dairy milk for many athletes who find that dairy milk can upset their stomach or compromise their immune system.
7. Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the cornerstones of any healthy diet, but for Olympians, they are even more important. The vitamins, minerals, and fiber contained in fresh fruits and vegetables help athletes reach their peak performance while also helping them stay hydrated and healthy.
8. Water
Hydration is a major part of any fitness program, but for Olympic level athletes, it can be practically a matter of life and death. These athletes train their bodies to the absolute limit, so it is vital that they give their bodies every possible advantage. This includes staying hydrated at all times, whether it’s during a workout or on the plane ride to South Korea. Sports drinks have a time and a place, and many athletes use them as recovery drinks, but for pure hydration, nothing can beat plain old water.