Elite athletes will do just about anything to gain an edge, and yes, eating habits are part of the game. From Olympic gold medalists to NFL legends, these sports stars swear by their weird eating habits. We’re talking 100 chicken nuggets a day, pre-game Skittles, and pasta with no sauce at all.
8. Michael Jordan
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan had a pre-game fuel that was so precise. Around three to four hours before every game, he would have a massive steak and baked potato. It started as a one-time thing during his Bulls run and became a superstition that stuck for years. He believed that the content and timing of the meal helped his energy levels stay stable during the games.
7. Conor McGregor
UFC champion Conor McGregor is a “meathead” literally. He reportedly eats steak in every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during fight camp. Nutritionists who work with him believe that all these meats give him “warrior energy.” McGregor himself believes that red meat boosts his aggression before fights.
6. Tom Brady
Meanwhile, Tom Brady is known for having the nightshade ban. This means he avoids nightshade vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. Why? He thinks they cause inflammation and slow down recovery. Brady’s meals are also mostly plant-based. He avoids dairy, as well as sugar, caffeine, and gluten.
5. Chad Johnson
While most pro athletes follow carefully planned diets, Johnson proudly did the opposite. He ate McDonald’s almost daily during his NFL career. The athlete shared that he could eat whatever he wanted as long as he trained hard and stayed active. Johnson also said that McDonald’s was all he could afford as a kid and now he owns three franchises of it.
4. Usain Bolt
Nutritionists cringed at Bolt’s 2008 Olympic diet, which was roughly 100 chicken nuggets per day. Bolt reportedly didn’t trust the local Chinese cuisine and stuck with what felt familiar during the Beijing Games. He knew it wasn’t the best fuel but it also kept things simple before the races. In the end, he walked away with three gold medals.
3. Marshawn Lynch
When you think NFL, you don’t usually think Skittles. But Marshawn Lynch might change your mind. He made headlines for popping handfuls of Skittles before and during games. He shared that his mom introduced the snack to him as a kid, calling them “power pellets.” Lynch also believed that sugar gave him energy boost and maybe a bit of childhood confidence.
2. Rafael Nadal
Similar to Michael Jordan, Nadal eats the exact same thing every match. And it’s really weird, too: a plate of pasta with no sauce. Olive oil and salt are the only things added to the pasta. And it’s not about a taste preference. Nadal admits that he thrives on routine, and that includes his food. He also avoids anything that could cause indigestion, hence the no-sauce rule.
1. Michael Phelps
For the number one spot, we have Michael Phelps and you won’t believe what he used to eat during his Olympic training days. The legendary swimmer consumed 8,000 calories per day! He was rumored to reach 12,000 calories but this myth has been busted. He said he needed that much calories to fuel for his 5-hour a day training.