If there is one event we love, it’s the Summer Olympics. Whether winter or summer, the Olympics is an exciting event, and everyone who witnesses the athletic mastery of those taking part will agree! The Olympics are a showcase of human athletic prowess and dedication, but what is fueling these remarkable competitors? What keeps those muscles moving during some of the most stressful events of the year?
At Food Town, your local grocery store, we’re diving right into the dietary secrets of Olympic athletes. To reveal their favorite meals and their guilty pleasures, we’ll show you how you can eat like a champion by shopping with us and using our amazing recipes. Our range of diverse and international foods that we offer can get you inspired in no time at all. Let’s go!
As you may already know, Olympic athletes follow meticulously planned diets that have the correct balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. With their eating habits tailored to their specific sports, training routines, and personal preferences, Olympians can build muscle while staying fueled and lean. Let’s take a look at some of the staples that are needed in an Olympian’s diet.
Protein is one of the most essential components of an Olympic diet. It’s crucial for muscle repair and growth, making it an absolute must-have for athletes striving for peak performance. Not every Olympian eats meat, but it may shock you that common sources include plant-based options, too. With a range of chicken, fish, lean meat, egg, beans, and lentils, you can get protein from a number of places. Each source provides athletes with the necessary building blocks to recover and excel in their respective sports, ensuring they maintain the strength and stamina required to compete at the highest levels.
Carbohydrates are not the devil, especially not to an Olympic athlete who needs energy for the intense training and competition that they go through. Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, fruit and vegetables are popular choices, and as long as everything is consumed in a balanced way, their Olympic prowess goes through the roof.
Healthy fats are essential for supporting brain function and energy levels. Athletes often consume avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, which are all part of a healthy and balanced diet.
If you’re going to be pushing your body to the max, then hydration is an absolute must, so we need to include water as part of a balanced diet. It’s not just water though, but coconut water and electrolyte drinks are commonly found among Olympic athlete changing rooms. Because staying hydrated is crucial, feeding the muscles, the bones, and the brain is an absolute must.
We could go way back in time and look at Greek Olympians from the very original Olympic Games, but we’re going to stick with the Olympians that are our favorites right now.
Let’s delve into the favorite meals of some of today’s most celebrated Olympic athletes and see how you can recreate those meals yourself with the products available at Food Town.
As a legendary swimmer, Michael Phelps is known for his massive caloric intake, and rightly so. When you burn as much as he does, you have to consume calories to be able to balance that out so that you don’t waste away. Did you know that during his training dates, Michael Phelps can consume around 12,000 calories a day? His breakfast often includes:
Michael Phelps’s breakfast may not be something you can stomach, but you can enjoy a hearty breakfast with our fresh eggs, whole grain bread, and organic coffee.
If you are a follower and a lover of gymnastics in the Olympics, then you must know the name Simone Biles. This gymnastic superstar comes from Houston, and she’s one of our very own. She prefers a balanced and nutritious diet rather than a huge caloric intake. Some of her go-to meals include:
When you shop at Food Town, you can find all of these ingredients to prepare a meal fit for a champion gymnast. Take a look at our selection of fresh produce and premium proteins to get you started.
He’s fast on the track and he’s fast in his meals. Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world, but he famously enjoys chicken nuggets. During the Beijing Olympics, he consumed around 100 chicken nuggets a day, and while we don’t necessarily recommend a chicken nugget diet, you can definitely enjoy a healthier version with our range of lean chicken products and whole grain breading options.
Houston is such a diverse city, so it’s exciting to explore the favorite foods of international athletes so that you can inspire your grocery shopping and your meal prep. Let’s take a look at some of the famous international athletes and their culinary favorites.
Jamaican sprinter Johann Blake loves yams, which are a staple in his diet, and he often serves them with fish. You can find yams and fresh seafood at Food Town so that you can create your own Jamaican-inspired meal. Just don’t forget your seasonings!
To keep up with tennis star, Ma Long, from China, you’ll need to put dumplings and noodles in your diet. Food Towns offers a range of Asian ingredients, from dumpling wrappers to fresh vegetables and sauces, so that you can recreate her favorite meals at her home.
Colombian triple jumper Catarine Ibargüen enjoys arepas, a traditional Colombian dish made from cornmeal. Here at Food Town we can actually provide you with pre-made arepas or the ingredients to make them yourself. We also have a huge range of Latin and Caribbean foods that will inspire your kitchen.
We are proud to send several athletes to the Olympics in Houston, and we support them by eating like them, which can be fun and motivational. Whether you’re copying basketball star Brittney Griner’s love for a good protein-packed meal or you are following volleyball player Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson’s preference for a balanced diet, you can find everything that you need in Food Town. Take a look at some of the recipes that we have that can help you fuel your inner Olympian.
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We are proud to offer a wide variety of international and local foods that cater to the tastes of Houston’s community. Whether you want to make a traditional dish from your home country or try something new, take a look at what we have in store.
Eating like an Olympic athlete is not just about fueling your body, but it’s about embracing a lifestyle of balance, health and cultural appreciation. We make it so much easier for you to access the foods that Olympians love right here in Houston at Food Town.
Ready to start your journey? Visit us at Food Town and discover the champion within you! Happy shopping, and Go Team USA!
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