Ever wonder what Olympic and pro athletes ACTUALLY eat? We went ahead and asked some of the elite athletes from our community what snacks they love to munch on -- full disclosure!
We asked each athlete the following three questions -- read on if you want to snack like a champ!
We all know that life is about balance, and when it comes to snacking, it’s important to feed both the body AND the soul!
- When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
- When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
- What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
Elizabeth Beisel, Team USA Olympic Medalist (Swim)
Elizabeth Beisel is a three-time Olympian, Olympic medalist and former swimmer at the University of Florida.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
EB: My favorite clean ingredient snack, especially right before workout, would be a simple chia seed pudding. I add chia seeds, unsweetened almond milk, almond butter, cherries, and granola (specifically gr8nola) to a mason jar and let it sit overnight. This clean snack gives me the calories and energy I need to perform but without feeling heavy in my stomach.
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
EB: My favorite "guilty-pleasure" snack has to be s'mores. This summer I have been having a lot of late-night fires in my backyard and I absolutely love to cozy up in a blanket and make some s'mores.
3. What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
EB: My all time favorite snack brands are Larabar, Wonderful pistachios, Bare, and of course gr8nola (Black Coco Chia flavor specifically).
Hannah Soar, Team USA (Ski)
Hannah Soar is a five-year member of the US Moguls Team with sights set on the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
HS: I love to always have a clean-ingredient snack after a workout. My go-to is overnight oats! I usually use Bob's Red Mill's products and combine rolled oats with muesli adding almond milk, yogurt, honey, and berries. Post-workout I can quickly grab my pre-made clean-ingredient snack even if I am on the go. (PSA: Look for oats that are high in protein if using post-workout fuel!).
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
HS: My favorite guilty pleasure snack is ice cream! I can't so no, especially to anything coffee flavored. I really like frozen yogurt as well, I like to think I'm cheating less with that.
3. What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
HS: My all-time favorite snack brands are Chobani yogurts, Food Should Taste Good chips (especially the sweet potato ones!), and goldfish. I'm always up for a good salty snack!
Bryan Clay, Team USA Olympic Gold Medalist (Decathlon)
Bryan Clay was crowned “The World’s Greatest Athlete” after winning gold in the Decathlon at the 2008 Olympics. He continues to motivate and inspire the world through his mission to build champions and change lives through his efforts with The Bryan Clay Foundation.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
BC: My favorite snacks for fueling are toasted almonds, and ice cold fruit... just not cantaloupe or melon because I’m allergic.
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
BC: My favorite guilty pleasure snack has got to be chips... currently I’m loving Kettle Chips dill pickle flavor!
Kimi Goetz, Team USA (Speedskating)
Kimi Goetz is a member of the US Speedskating team who has reached the World Championship level in three different sports: inline speed skating, short track speed skating and long track speed skating, with sights on the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
KG: Two of the things I like to snack on during training would be applesauce since it’s easy to digest or an “energy ball” which I make all different combos with oats, a nut butter, seeds, coconut etc. :)
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
KG: My favorite guilty pleasure is a warm chocolate chip cookie with milk!
3. What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
KG: I really enjoy snacking on Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn that we pop fresh before bed. I also really really love gr8nola Golden Spice granola- I like granola because you can use it in so many ways.
- On top of oatmeal for a crunch at breakfast
- On top of yogurt
- On baked fruit for a dessert
- Just to munch on
- So many options!
Tank Williams, NFL
Tank Williams is a former NFL player who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans and additionally played for the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, as well as Stanford University.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
TW: The best "clean" snacks make you feel dirty while eating them. There's nothing better than a chia seed pudding bowl topped with diced mangos, coconut flakes, and Black Coco Chia gr8nola drizzled with honey. My gawd!
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
TW: I'm not sure you have enough real estate for my guilty pleasures. Fried chicken, gumbo, pasta, beignets, red beans and rice, chinese food, pizza and donuts can get me all in my feelings but I can keep going if you want me to....
3. What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
TW: Now 10 yr old Tank was a fiend for Little Debbie (Honey Buns, Nutty Buddys & Zebra Cakes). 20-33 yr old Tank got hooked on Gushers and required an intervention to give them up. But once gr8nola came into my life at the age of 33, she's been my one and only...
Lia Neal, Team USA Olympic Medalist (Swim)
Lia Neal is a two-time freestyle medalist and professional swimmer, and former swimmer at Stanford University.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
LN: My favorite clean-ingredient snacks are fruits, especially in hot weather. Another simple idea is slicing up tomatoes and sprinkling them with a bit of salt. Also been on a kimchi kick!
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
LN: Haha yes necessary for the soul, my fav guilty-pleasure snack right now are Tostitos Hint of Lime Chips.
3. What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
LN: All-time fav snack brand- besides gr8nola of course -- and something I’ll never grow tired of are chocolate Pocky and Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn.
Hayley Scamurra, Team USA (Ice Hockey)
Hayley Scamurra is a professional ice hockey player and former collegiate athlete at Northeastern University, who competed as a member of the US Women’s National Team in 2019.
1. When fueling your body, what’s your favorite clean-ingredient snack?
HS: After a tough workout I either eat an Rx Bar or drink an Orgain smoothie (favorite flavor is Creamy Chocolate Fudge)
2. When feeding your soul, what’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure” snack?
HS: My favorite guilty pleasure snack is anything with chocolate! More specifically organic Ocho Coconut Bar.
3. What are your all-time favorite snack brands?
HS: My all time favorite snack brands include Larabar, Rx Bar, Bare, Popcorners, and SkinnyPop.
