Javelin is a demanding sport, and to stay on top of your game, it also requires a clean diet. This is something that Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has been following, for years now. But athletes too, need a change of diet at some point, or even a cheat day, when they are not competing, or are in the off-season.
Neeraj, featuring in the Fit India Champions podcast series on Saturday, opened up about his cheat meal, and how he satisfies his sweet tooth. “I am a big fan of sweets,” Neeraj Chopra was quoted as saying by Olympics.com. “Sometimes I like to eat gulab jamun with ice cream. I don’t know how many people would have tried this combination but I find it very enjoyable.”
He went on to reveal, that he is also fond of kalakand, a traditional Indian sweet, along with churma, which is a speciality of Haryana. “If I am in my village, we make churma. I am fond of these homemade sweets and avoid ones made in the market,” Chopra added.
“When it comes to diet, emphasising natural foods such as fruits and salads is paramount. Personally, my morning routine includes a breakfast before training, consisting of fruits, yoghurt, oats, and eggs.”
“Additionally, I have juice and dry fruits. During training, I consume items like bananas, juice or coconut water. Post-training, I prioritise a protein shake within 15 to 20 minutes.”
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“Lunch typically involves dal, yoghurt, vegetables, salad and if no roti, then rice or protein-rich non-vegetarian options. I incorporate a recovery period between two training sessions, taking a one-hour nap before focusing on the evening session. Prior to the evening training, I consume something light like chia seeds, dry fruits, or a banana to ensure sufficient energy,” the javelin champion added.
