This year’s summer Olympics in Beijing, China showcased the strength and endurance of the world’s top athletes. With grueling training workouts and intense back to back competition schedules, Olympic athletes are required to maintain the highest levels of fitness.

That must mean they are all eating healthy right? Not necessarily.

American swimmer Michael Phelps revealed to news reporters that his suggested training diet is 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day. That’s five times the recommended daily intake for the average person. Phelps doesn’t restrict his food selection either; he eats everything from junk food to sweets.
High calorie diets are common for Olympic athletes, because food is simply fuel. Swimmers especially burn a large amount of calories in their workouts.

Shannon Miller, former Olympic gymnast, told CNN that while she was training, no food was off limits. She even ate pizza and Chinese takeout on a regular basis. But both athletes are careful to consume enough nutritious content to supplement their bodies’ needs. With the help of nutrition and fitness coaches, Olympic athletes keep healthy and energized.

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