Becoming an Olympic athlete requires a lot of work. You must plan and prepare for many aspects of your life that most of us might not even think about. To win Olympic gold, athletes from every state – including two of our own from Texas – must perform at their peak. Competing at such a high level requires some impressive planning and consideration. There are so many important elements that must be considered. Some of these elements are basic like practicing or having the right gear, while some are more intense like deciding what kind of pillow to sleep on for optimal rest. An Olympic athlete diet is intensively thought out and also heavily impacts their performance.

Olympic Athlete Diet

Change is constant in the life of an Olympian. Recovering from an injury or heavy training has an impact on what their diet should consist of. Most Olympic athletes’ diets require high protein and healthy fats for muscle development, which is why a paleo diet is common, since it focuses on consuming these two nutrients. Heavy protein and high fat is needed if the individual is months or weeks away from competition. A few days before their Olympic event a dramatic increase in carbohydrates can be a game changer. Many of the Olympic athletes’ diet is crafted by a personal chef who plans their meals based on what their body needs at the time. We have decided to include a recipe here that is fit for an Olympian!

Whether you’re a professional athlete or just someone wanting to include more proteins and healthy fats into your meals, this recipe is for everyone! The healthy oils have an added bonus, giving the individual great concentration.

Baked Salmon on Swiss Chard w/Cucumber-Dill relish

Olympic Athlete Diet

4 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, skinless or skin on, 6 oz each serving
  • 8 swiss chard leaves, discard stems

Relish:

  • 1 cucumber peeled and seeded 1/4″ dice
  • 1.5 c red bell pepper
  • 1/4″ dice, about .5c
  • 2 T green onions chopped fine
  • 1 t fresh dill chopped
  • 2 T lime juice
  • 1/8 t salt

Directions:

Make relish by combining all ingredients. Use baking dish that just fits the fish, spray with healthy cooking spray. Wash chard leaves, but do not dry. Fold 2 leaves in half at a time and place in baking dish so you have four stacks (leaves should folded to be about the same size as the fillets). Sprinkle with salt. Lay one fillet on each stack. Brush with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes for medium fish or 12 to 15 minutes for more rare fish. Serve with relish.

Savor Meals Specialized for Any Lifestyle

Maybe you are an all star athlete or maybe you aren’t. Either way, at Savor we can prepare a meal that is specifically crafted for your lifestyle. Even if your diet changes from week to week, we change with you. If you are working in the office one week and preparing for a marathon the next, we can get meals on your table that will meet your health and fitness goals. Get started by filling out your personal food needs here.