Nutrition

How To Eat Like An Extreme Swimmer

8th December 2017

By MACROS | Published on December 8, 2017


Martin Strel is a Slovenian long-distance swimmer who has held successive Guinness World Records for swimming the length of the Danube, Mississippi and Yangtze rivers.

He starred in the award-winnning 2009 feature documentary Big River Man, directed by John Maringouin, which chronicled Martin’s historic swim down the Amazon River.

He was also in a 2011 episode of History Channel show, Stan Lee’s Superhumans, where it was determined that Martin is one of just three people on Earth to possess superhuman endurance.

Unlike the average person, Strel’s body completely disposes of lactic acid, the byproduct of physical activity that causes fatigue.

Now 63, Martin reveals his diet tips and his recipes for success, from eating eggs every day to munching on oatmeal in the middle of the night.

 

What do you eat ahead of a big swim?

“Before the big day I wake in the middle of the night, eat oatmeal and a banana. In the morning I have a light meal before I start. I don’t overeat in case it causes problems during the day.”

 

martin strel

On September 10, 2015, Martin traveled from Slovenia to swim from the Statue of Liberty to North Cove Marina in Downtown Manhattan.

 

What do you drink after swimming?

“I drink water, herbal teas and whey isolate protein shakes. After the last training session I also like a special wine made in Slovenia with little alcohol and sugar, so it’s good for me.”

 

What’s your favorite food?

“Everyone should find a way to cook eggs according to their tastes. I eat boiled egg whites or poached eggs every day. In my opinion, the best supplements are nuts, peanut butter and eggs.”

 

– RELATED: Muscle Model Adam Parr’s Elite Nutrition Plan –

 

What do your meals look like?

“My nutrition is strictly from real food. Breakfast is oats, eggs, milk, bananas and peanut butter. Lunch is quinoa, beans, vegetables and chicken. Snacks involve nuts and berries, while dinners are light.”

 

martin strel

Martin swims past the Statue of Liberty during the 2.2. mile swim.

 

Do you control what you eat?

“I listen to my body. Some days I eat more, others less. I adjust to the hours spent training in the water. Also, training in colder water often results in increased hunger.”

 

What do you eat on-the-go?

“When traveling I pack my food and take it to the airport. I look for meals cooked from scratch, and I avoid dressings, sauces and spices, which can cause digestion problems.”