Eat like an athlete - Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee

What is your typical daily diet when training for a big event? 

Breakfast
Alistair: Normally porridge with a bit of Nutella and some toast.
Jonny: I usually go for some cereal – muesli or something like that and toast.

Lunch
Alistair: Something hot, a proper meal. I love a bit of barbecued meat in the summer.
Jonny: Similar to Al really, I like a sandwich sometimes though, or a few bagels.

Dinner
Alistair: I’m normally very hungry so a decent meal involving some meat, I love steak, plenty of cooked veg (I’m not a huge fan of salad) and a warm pudding every time.
Jonny: I have a slow cooker now, so I enjoy doing a casserole of some sort and having some rice or potatoes with it. Definitely have a pudding every time as well.

Total calorie intake: 5000ish

How do you keep your diet varied and do you ever get bored with eating for your sport?

Alistair: Sometimes when you’re very tired after a long days training cooking enough food to fill you up can be a chore, so in that instance I just go across the road to the fish and chip shop.
Jonny: I just try and eat as normally as possible to be honest. We’re lucky because of the amount of training we do, I just eat a lot of everything so we don’t have to constantly eat the same meals or food types.

What super food/juice/meal helps you get out of bed and motivated on those particularly dreary mornings?

Alistair: Bacon and black pudding sandwich on Warburtons half and half.
Jonny: Yeah you can’t beat a good bacon sandwich!

What’s your trusted snack for an energy boost?

Alistair: A good bit of flapjack.
Jonny: Our neighbour Jan’s 'crunch' – she makes it for us every week.

How do you stay hydrated when training?

Alistair: I always carry a Maxifuel bottle around with me.
Jonny: I drink a lot and very fast! I never have problems hydrating.

When competition season is over what are your favourite food indulgences?

Alistair: Weirdly, I probably have less of an appetite for indulgent food when I’m not training.
Jonny: I love chocolate fudge cake, training or not training.

What would be your top diet and exercise tip for the amateur athlete?

Alistair: Eat balanced. Don’t get caught up on any fad diets. Just train and eat consistently.
Jonny: Yes, plenty of fruit and veg and try to stick to eating at meal times. Don’t snack on loads of rubbish. And Alistair is right; consistency in training is the key.

Aside from your speciality, what is your favourite sport/exercise?

Alistair: I like remote controlled gadgets. I’ve just bought a helicopter thing. I have a bad habit of breaking them though.
Jonny: I manage a local 6-a-side football team, the Bramhope Deers, and have been known to lace my boots up a few times for them. And I love watching Leeds Rhinos!

Uncover more diet secrets from top athletes in our eat like an athlete series.