They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and there’s nothing quite like a hearty breakfast to get you going. Whether that’s a full English or some fruit and a coffee, finding what works for you will mean that you’re able to get on with things to the best of your ability. But not all breakfast are created equal. Oh no.
Unlike us regular folk, professional athletes need a certain diet suited to their daily routine to maintain peak physical fitness. But what works for one athlete may not work for another.
With that in mind, we did some digging to see what it is that some of our favorite champions eat to get them started in the morning... and we have to say, some are pretty surprising indeed!
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Cristiano Ronaldo
As one of the worlds biggest names in football, you might think that Cristiano Ronaldo would have quite a large appetite when it comes to the amount of calories he needs to consume. And you’d be right. Ronaldo’s breakfast is large with a typical calories content of almost 1200 calories. A wholesome affair, a typical breakfast for Ronaldo will be well rounded with European meats and cheeses, yoghurt, fruits such as avocado and carbs such as bread and pastries, all washed down with a coffee and juice. Perhaps not what you’d expect from someone of his sporting prowess, but well balanced nonetheless.
Caster Semenya
As a world champion middle distance runner who’s breaking records all over the place, this breakfast surprised us the most. If you’re not quite sure what Bogobe is, then you’re probably one of many. Bogobe is a native dish from Botswana that roughly translates to “stiff porridge”, it’s also affectionately known as “slap-pap”. And while it doesn’t sound all that appealing, it’s known to be a tasty dish whilst also providing lots of carbs but low in calorie. Perfect for anyone looking for a serious energy boost. It’s also worth noting that on the day Caster posted a picture of her breakfast on Twitter, she broke a world record! If that’s not reason to give Bogobe a try, I don’t know what is!
Serena Williams
Another breakfast that’s high in healthy carbs. As a professional tennis player, Serena needs to be agile yet strong. Due to this, a low fat breakfast that’s high in healthy sugars, fibre with a good dose of essential vitamins and minerals, is the perfect choice to give her that long-lasting energy boost when needed.
Hafthor Bjornsson
Hailed as one of the strongest men on the planet, this Icelandic giant definitely has to work hard to maintain his status as a man mountain, especially with Hollywood hot on his heels too. It may come as no surprise that this absolute beast of a man has an appetite to match. To stay in tip-top shape for competitions, Hafthor relies on a diet high in healthy protein and breakfast is nothing short of a feast. On an average day, Hafthor will consume in the region of 2700 calories, and that’s just for breakfast! His meal will usually consist of 8 eggs, 500g of lean beef, 500g of sweet potatoes for that energy boost as well as oats, fruit, nuts and leafy greens – all washed down with plenty of juice to keep his sugar levels up. Enough food to feed a small family!
Tiger Woods
Though golf wouldn’t usually be considered a physical sport, it’s still important for professional golfers to maintain healthy muscles and be able to endure the same level of performance over a long period of time. Due to that, a low calorie, high protein diet works well. So, it looks like Tiger has got his breakfast just right with an egg white omelette and vegetables, helping to balance out the meal with just the right amount of carbs.
Muhammad Ali
If you want to fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee, you’ve got to eat right! And Ali definitely made sure he did that! To maintain his status as heavyweight boxing champion of the world, he would consume a hefty breakfast to ensure he had the energy for some high-octane action in the ring. It’s said that a particular favourite was steak and eggs, and he even consumed two steaks and a dozen eggs in one sitting with a bit of toast for good measure! Not your typical breakfast for a champion of his calibre, but it certainly worked!