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| Katie Ledecky's go-to lunch is full of protein and easy to make. Sarah Stier/Getty Images |
Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky may be one of the most accomplished athletes in history, but her go-to lunch remains refreshingly simple.
In a new interview with EatingWell published Thursday, the nine-time Olympic gold medalist opened up about her diet and the high-protein meal she relies on most afternoons: a homemade omelet.
“Given how long I’ve been in the sport, you can’t have the same things every single day or every single year,” Ledecky told EatingWell. “But I do find that once I find something that is working well that keeps me fueled before and after practice I’ll stick with it.”
Her go-to meal? A nutrient-packed omelet that she makes herself.
“I found that with my omelet that I make in the middle of the day,” Ledecky said. “Of course, I mix up what vegetables I’m throwing in or what kind of toast I’m having, but for the most part, I get into a routine and I’ve found what works.”
Ledecky said the only meal she consistently changes up is dinner.
The swimmer, now 28, follows what she describes as a “really balanced diet” that includes proteins, carbs, fruits, and vegetables every day to keep her energy levels up and performance strong.
“It’s all about staying fueled and ready for my next workout,” she said.
Her daily routine includes frequent snacks, particularly around her training sessions.
“I treat myself every now and then, but I typically have a snack before my morning practice and then a Core Power [protein shake] after,” she said. “Then I’ll have a late breakfast, another snack or small lunch in the middle of the day, and then dinner after my afternoon practice.”
Ledecky has been a brand ambassador for Core Power since April 2023.
Taking full control of her nutrition as an adult has been an empowering shift for Ledecky.
“I’m cooking for myself, I’m making all those decisions. I don’t have my mom around to cook every meal although I would love that,” she said with a laugh. “I love it when she visits and does some of that for me, but I have to do that now for myself, and I enjoy it. I enjoy learning about what fuels my body the best.”
A representative for Ledecky did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Truth Sider.
Ledecky joins a growing list of elite athletes opening up about their personalized approaches to nutrition.
In 2021, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt told Truth Sider that his favorite pre-workout meal during competition was pumpkin and yams. More recently, WNBA star Aaliyah Edwards revealed she follows a high-protein vegetarian diet built around tofu, legumes, and Greek yogurt. And just last week, Luka Dončić’s nutritionist shared that the NBA player consumes at least 250 grams of protein daily during the offseason as part of a gluten-free regimen.
From protein-rich omelets to carb-loaded root vegetables, one thing is clear: elite athletes are increasingly focused on the foods that keep them performing at their peak and they’re not afraid to keep it simple.
