Winter Olympics 2026: How to eat like an Olympian

Olympians go through a very dedicated training to be able to compete to their best ability in the competitions. This year’s Winter Olympics is no different and the athletes need the nutrition for sure to compete in the cold sports. 

As many can imagine, the Olympian diet includes a lot of carbs, protein, and nutrition sources. It all goes really well with the nutrition trends of 2026 as well, putting the wellbeing of the body before anything else. 

What does the Olympian diet include?

Olympians, especially Winter Olympians, rely heavily on carbs due to the harsh conditions that may be present during the sports event. Lack of sun, strong winds, harsh cold episodes; these all can be straining on the body and carbs can provide the needed energy to the Olympian body. Depending on the sport, one athlete might need up to 840 grams of carbs in one day to compensate for the calories burnt. 

Components like bread (shout out to the beloved Abendbrot in a common German household), oatmeal, fruits, potatoes, lentils, and grains not only provide carbs but also micro-nutrients to keep the body at peak performance condition. 

The body stores glucose from these foods in the form of glycogen, which keeps the body from entering survival mode. This survival mode state is also called “the bonk” and it’s important to avoid this state of body failing to work properly during the intense sport events. 

After carbs, comes proteins, which athletes should get 1-2 grams of it per kilogram in body weight. Good amounts of protein and healthy fats in the diet help maintain muscle longevity and the feeling of hunger to stay at bay. Plus, good sources of vitamins are important as well! When it can be adjusted these diets should also include “feel-good” foods for athletes to be able to feel at home while they’re away in another country during the event. 

All these big groups of food in the end help Olympians stay fit for the big event. While a common person might not need the exact measurements an Olympian needs, the mentality to take care of the body in accordance with one’s own daily rhythm stays the same. 

Photo by Sreyus Guruvu via Unsplash