Olympic athlete downs 12,000 calories a day

ne elite athlete downs 12,000 calories per day just to keep from dropping weight, reported The Today Show’s Matt Lauer the other day. Considering that the average man consumes 2,600 calories per day, this is big stuff. But hey, that’s what it takes to keep some Olympic bodies in fighting shape.

What Olympic athletes eat can make the difference between a gold or a silver win. Food is fuel after all, and these folks require top-grade fuel (and lots of it) in order to compete — and win.

It’s up to U.S. Olympic Committee Executive Chef Jacque Hamilton to make sure the 600-athlete delegation gets tasty, healthy food free of butter, trans fats, and lots of sodium. Now that’ a high-pressure job. But she’s got it down to a science. Check out some of her favorite dishes, made with nutritious ingredients, fit for the finest athletes. Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Chicken Stir-Fry, and Baja Chicken Salad — right here they are.