What's a pro triathlete's diet look like?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m curious. The calorie expenditure must be through the roof from training, so is it whatever/whenever or is it more strict than that? Do they actually eat few calories to get/stay as lean as possible? I just always remember that scene in What it Takes where Peter Reid talks about his diet, and going to bed with a headache he was so hungry. I always feel as though if I don’t eat enough, and enough protein in particular that my recovery will suffer… That’s a hardcore bodybuilder mentality but it’s how I’ve always done it…

What do you think is the ideal diet for an ultra-endurance athlete. Speaking in very generalized terms, say 5’10 150lbs or so… Anyone know of an article that discusses the diet of a pro triathlete?

2

I think most pro triathletes eat the same things as other peoples, if you take away those who only eat junk.

The ideal diet for at endurance athlete who train hard is 8-12 gr carbs / kg body weight and 1.6 gr protein / kg body weight per day.

3

Some are very very focused on their diets, others (I’ve heard) basically eat twinkies and coca cola.

Max Longree likes a good hamburger now and again:
http://xcelsportsgroup.typepad.com/.a/6a00e553d2598e883400e554f2bf658834-800wi

4

One of the tri magazines did this with elite age groupers a couples years back. What I remember is that they had one guy who was the type to get out the kitchen scale and measure out what he thought was precise optimal food amounts and then a woman who was all ‘and oh yeah Wednesday night’s my junk food night because it’s Margarita Madness night at my favorite Mexican restaurant’

5

Seems like some of them eat whatever they want. :slight_smile:

-Jot

6

I’ve been told the top guys/gals focus their diet around senzu beans. :confused:

7

Herbert always asks food likes/dislieks when he interviews people. Go back through the front page.