14 Surprising Eating Habits of Top Athletes for Peak Performance
If you are involved in sports, achieving peak performance in every game is always a goal. Studies have shown that besides an athlete’s natural talent and grooming, a good dietary routine and lifestyle are essential to keep them fit.
We usually assume that a significant portion of their diet comprises proteins and fewer carbs. But trust me, you will be surprised to know it’s much more than that! Here are 14 surprising eating habits of top athletes for peak performance.
Tom Brady, the TB12 Method
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The seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Braddy follows the TB12 method to enhance his efficiency and physical load in the game. To your surprise, no nutritionist suggested this dietary routine; Tom handpicked it himself. This TB12 dietary regime is based strictly on hydration and the 80/20 rule.
This rule means you have to drink 20 ounces of water daily, followed by 80 percent of the meals being plant-based and 20 percent comprising any animal-based source to improve performance and recovery. Under the program, dairy is almost completely removed from Brady’s diet.
Bryce Harper, Eggos
Bryce Harper’s pregame eating ritual has always been a mystery. The legendary Phillies Right Fielder is a highly superstitious person who uses a unique combination to enhance his game performance. The diet mixes peanut butter, honey, and Eggo waffles.
While it remains a mystery whether this combo is a mere ritual or if it does bring fruitful results, one thing is for sure: this unusual combo worked for him. And we can’t argue how delicious the diet must be.
Sam Bradford, Servings of three
Quarterback Sam Bradford has a peculiar pregame routine deep-rooted in his high school ritual. Based on this ritual, he consumes everything in sets of three. Whether it is a water bottle, a protein bar, or any other food before the game begins, it is believed that although his regime was highly superstitious, it provided a sense of comfort to him in his game.
Chad Johnson, McDonald’s
We all know athletes must eat protein-rich diets and energy drinks to boost their physical efficiency and overall performance in a game. But you’ll be surprised to see how the NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson took an unusual turn in his dietary routine. He opted for a distinctive choice over protein shakes and energy drinks. This legendary player used to have McDonald’s as a protein diet. Johnson, before the game begins, consumes cheeseburgers and shakes. It sounds like living the dream for many.
Michael Arnstein, the 80/10/10 diet
Michael Arnstein’s diet plan was based on the 80/10/10 method. This means that 80 percent of his diet was allocated to fresh fruits and vegetables and 10 percent to fat and protein. Arnstein attributed his achievements at the Olympics to his dietary habits. This 80/10/10 diet is undoubtedly a fantastic meal to achieve good health.
Usain Bolt, Chicken Nuggets
Usain Bolt’s unusual diet came to light during the 2008 summer game in Beijing. He was observed consuming McDonald’s chicken nuggets four times daily, comprising 1000 nuggets for his two-week stay. This Olympic gold medalist attributed his victory to his unconventional food habits.
Christiano Ronaldo, Coconut Oil
Cristiano Ronaldo follows a high-protein diet with minimal sugars, fats, and carbs. His chef uses coconut oil exclusively due to Ronaldo’s high-calorie burn during matches. This diet schedule highlights his dedication to optimum nutrition and tailored diets in elite sports, showcasing his meticulous attention to his diet to improve his performance and maintain peak physical condition.
Venus Williams, Raw Vegetable Diet
Venus Williams combated her Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition, with a raw vegetable diet. This dietary routine was pivotal in her successful tennis career and overall health. She dominated tennis with seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Serena, and Olympic gold medals.
Michael Phelps, 12,000 Calories A Day
The record-breaking swimmer, Michael Phelps, followed a unique diet. The holder of 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze Olympic medals consumed 12,000 daily calories, comprising pasta, French toast, pizzas, omelets, and sandwiches. His extensive training in the pool would balance his regime, enabling him to achieve feats in sports.
Dwayne Wade, Chlorophyll smoothies
Former Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade adopted a healthier lifestyle by incorporating chlorophyll smoothies into his diet. His favorite smoothie staples include ginger, beets, and chlorophyll. Dwayne’s exceptional NBA career did prove that his dietary routine played a crucial role in his wins and on-court performance.
Kevin Garnett, PB&J Sandwiches
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett followed a pregame sacred ritual of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. His former Celtics teammates later joined Garnett’s pregame ritual and gained legendary status.
Babe Ruth: Mega Breakfasts
Beyond his outstanding performance, Babe Ruth was also renowned for his extraordinary lifestyle, including his extravagant breakfast routine: six eggs, a hefty porterhouse steak, and potatoes, accompanied by a quart-sized blend of bourbon and ginger ale. His colorful breakfast revealed how some athletes have unconventional, iconic lifestyles.
Los Angeles Lakers: Butter, Bacon, And Bone Broth
In 2013, the Los Angeles Lakers adopted a unique dietary routine to incorporate fats into their diet as fuel. Butter, bacon, and bone broth became staples for them. This unique meal plan helped players regain energy and heal faster during games. Los Angeles had another signature pregame ritual of ‘bullet-proof coffee,’ a blend of coffee with two teaspoons of pastured butter and cream. Some started consuming it before it became a pregame ritual for the entire team.
Andy Murray: 50 Servings Of Sushi
Murray has an impressive list of tennis honors, including three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and numerous ATP Tour victories, thanks to his astonishing lifestyle and dietary habits. Murray maintains his energy on tour with around 6,000 calories of daily intake, a substantial portion sourced from protein-rich sushi. To meet his culinary preferences, his team ensures access to Japanese restaurants in every city.
Conclusion
Professional athletes take excellent care of their bodies through training regimens and diet. However, many consume unusual diets, some that may even be outright considered unhealthy. Some diets are based on superstitions, while the doctor may order others. Everything seems to work for individuals, from eating veggies and fruits to gulping down waffles and honey peanut butter.
