Eat like an athlete - Charlotte Dujardin
Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin speaks to sports journalist Sue Mott about food indulgences, healthy eating and her favourite meal…
Charlotte was “The girl on the dancing horse” at the 2012 Olympics, performing a routine that looked like ballet on four equine legs. Her horse, the chestnut gelding, Valegro, has been called “The Most beautiful horse in the world,” but the common misperception was to imagine that the horse did all the work, while the rider hung on decoratively. Not so. Riding works out just about every muscle in the human body.
What does your daily diet look like?
I eat kind of healthily. I’m not over-fussy. I have three good meals a day, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. And if you asked me what my favourite meal was, I’d probably have to ask my boyfriend who does all the cooking at home.
What’s your favourite meal?
We regularly have chicken, fish, and I think my favourite meal is salmon with asparagus and new potatoes. My boyfriend does the salmon in orange and sweet chilli. It’s amazing. You let it marinate in the juice for a couple of hours and then cook it quickly in the oven in tinfoil.
When competition season is over what are your favourite food indulgences?
My favourite naughty thing is ice cream. No special flavour. I’m up for anything.
Tell us about your fitness regime…
I go to the gym a lot. I actually can now stand on the gym ball. That’s easy. I can do squats with a 10 kilogram bar. That’s all for my core. So you’re not relying on your reins.
Uncover more diet secrets from top athletes in our eat like an athlete series.
For more interviews with inspiring sports women visit BTsport.com or watch the Clare Balding Show on BTSport, which begins season 2 on November 21.
Sports journalist Sue Mott can be found tweeting at @suemott1.
