The Olympics are in full gear with the United States medal count reaching a high number.
But while we take in their breathtaking performances, we need to realize that it is what and how much the athletes take in that helps them attain such gold medal physiques.
Athletes have been known to consume a crazy amount of calories to fuel their workouts. According to Mensfitness.com, “High-octane Olympic Athletes, like swimmers and water polo players, consume a near-superhuman (or Sumo-wrestler) diet of 5,000 plus calories per day.”
According to earlier reports both by ABCNews.com and CNN.com, Michael Phelps allegedly ate up to 12,000 calories a day when training for the 2008 Olympics.
However, he later told CNN that, “the report of his gargantuan appetite was a myth, saying such intake would be impossible.”
Still, athletes are fueling up, consuming a lot of food, in London’s Olympic Village. But, are they really eating and drinking all of the fast food and soft drinks as portrayed in many of the Olympic advertisements?
Not so says, Mensfitness.com, “It seems that after water, milk is the Village’s most popular drink with 75,000 liters ice cold and ready for guzzling.”
According to CNN.com, free unlimited McDonald's in the dining hall and a soda machine that cranks out as much free pop as athletes want, is all there for the tempting taking, Sports Scientist Jess Corones told CNN.com
“They think, 'Oh this is so cool,' and they just run to it -- but you have to remind them that it'll still be there when they've finished competing and that until they've finished competing they've got to stay on their normal routine."
Most athletes remain health-conscious, paying attention to the quality of the calories they are consuming.
Registered dietitian, Keri Glassman, told ABCNews.com, “The body needs carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and fluid in order to be properly fueled for exercise. Eating right allows athletes to delay fatigue, work harder — possibly giving them the edge they need to set a personal record — and recover faster.”
So the bathing beauties wearing red, white and blue attire fuel with that thought in mind. Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Ryan Lochte gave up sweets like candy and soda, as reported on ABCNews.com.
After working out, “the recovery meal is grilled chicken breasts with Alfredo sauce, whole-grain spaghetti and a salad with lemon juice and olive oil. “
Beach Volleyball medalist Kerri Walsh reportedly goes nuts over protein-rich almond butter.
“Protein helps prevent muscle wasting during exercise and prevents you from feeling hungry during exercise. The healthy fats in almond butter are rich in calories and provide energy for hours.”
Many athletes are also encouraged to try to stick to fresh or organic foods.
Corones told CNN.com, "We often find that the processed foods -- with the high salt and the high sugar content in them -- that the body can crave them. It's about trying to break those cycles and get them eating as well as they can."
Sources:
“Food, glorious food: Olympic athletes' extreme eating habits – Gary Morley – CNN.com.” CNN. Web 7 Aug. 2012.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/03/sport/olympics-nutrition-phelps-blake/index.html
“Feeding the London Olympic Village: What Do Olympic Athletes Eat? – MensFitness.com.” Men’s Fitness. Web 7 Aug. 2012.
http://www.mensfitness.com/leisure/sports/what-do-olympic-athletes-eat
“They Eat What?
Food Secrets of Olympic Athletes – ABCNews.go.com.” ABC News.
Web 7 Aug. 2012.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/07/30/they-eat-what-food-secrets-of-olympic-athletes
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com/ She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband and son, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Reviewed August 8, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith