How Olympians Change Their Diets In The Weeks Leading Up To The Games

Age: 32

Hometown: Lawrence, KS

Event: Paralympic swimming

Of prepping for the Games, Mallory says: "Going into a Paralympic Games, I notice that about six months prior, my intake needs increase to sustain the increase in intensity of training. I also go dry, cutting alcohol out. While I don’t normally drink much this small shift aids in better sleep, recovery and hydration."

Whether she's fully in training mode or not, Mallory takes "Garden of Life multi-vitamins, vitamin D and C, fish oil and a probiotic." She also makes sure (primarily in-season) to balance her diet as equally as possible between carbs, fats, and vegetables. She explains: "I aim to incorporate all into each of my meals–for instance if I make oatmeal for breakfast I dress it up with almond butter, a scoop of vanilla protein, chia seeds, slivered almonds and berries."

Age: 25

Hometown: St. Paul, MN

Event: Sport-climbing

Kyra, who's set to make history in a few weeks as one of the first Olympic sport-climbers is a longtime vegetarian. She cooks most of her meals herself so as to know what's in them, but interestingly, she tells Delish she doesn't really change her intake whether she's gearing up for competition or not. In fact, she says, she tries "not to alter my food intake at all really."

That said, she focuses greatly on her protein intake, and, as of late, has "been supplementing in iron to make sure [she gets] enough!" She adds that her go-to dessert is a cup of hot cocoa, and that her ideal birthday cake is chocolate-on-chocolate cake.

Age: 24

Hometown: Gilbert, AZ

Event: Gymnastics

Ahead of the Games (have we mentioned how MyKayla's participation in them is a HUGE deal!?), she tells us: "I’ve been trying to eat three meals a day, so I’m fueling my body with foods that will help me recovery and give me more energy. But sometimes I just love eating snacks!"

MyKayla also says she's a big fan of vitamin C (the supplement, not the band—but maybe also the band? To be fair, we didn't specify), and that she's cognizant of sticking to a high-protein, high-carb, and max-veggie diet. That said, "I love ice cream and shakes so usually once or twice a week I have a sweet tooth for that.

Age: 30

Hometown: St. Cloud, MN

Event: BMX racing

The repeat-Olympian believes "'everything in moderation' is a good approach because you need it all!" It makes sense then that she doesn't drastically alter her intake ahead of the Games, "but I do take into account digestion times and try to have any red meat at least two days before and then white meat or pasta the nights before/during competition." This, she says, "is just in hopes of getting the correct energy sources in and make sure I'm not struggling with digestion while trying to exert a ton of energy competing."

Alise also says she takes a "multi-vitamin, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, along with a probiotic and magnesium, and zinc." She even is cognizant of protein in her desserts: "I also like to make chocolate chip-peanut butter-oatmeal cookies with added protein in them."

Age: 28

Hometown: Crestview, FL

Event: Long Track Speedskating

When it comes to her eating habits, speedskater Mia Manganello has a pretty straightforward approach: "I like to keep it simple," she says. "I focus on what makes me feel the strongest and most prepared for the next training sessions." Growing up around her family's Italian restaurant cemented her love of food and taught her about incentive. "There is nothing better than growing up in a kitchen. The lessons and responsibilities you learn are irreplaceable, with the greatest reward being the amount of pizza you get to eat," Manganello says.

"Speedskating is a very physically demanding sport," Manganello says. Her obsession with pizza and vanilla malts gives her something to work toward during long weightlifting and cycling sessions, which help her gain strength and build the endurance she needs to really bring it out on the ice.

Mia's Meal Plan

Breakfast: Oatmeal and orange juice before morning practice

Lunch: Avocado toast with an egg after practice

Snack: Fruit before afternoon practice

Dinner: Teriyaki salmon with white rice and sautéed veggies

Age: 25

Hometown: Novi, MI

Event: Ice Dancing

Watching Madison Chock gracefully twirl, flip and twist around an ice rink, it's immediately clear how flexible and strong she must be to skate with such power. Chock trains alongside her ice dancing partner (and romantic partner), Evan Bates, and the pair even cook their meals together at home. "It's really nice that we're a couple and we have time to be together. When we're preparing for a competition, we take moments throughout the week for just the two of us to connect and sync up," says Chock.

Chock takes her nutrition and eating habits seriously, making sure that she downs one or two glasses of water as soon as she wakes up in the morning. Last summer, she even adopted a vegan diet to improve her health. She's back to incorporating animal products into her meals, but with a few changed habits. "I don't eat as much meat as Evan does. I try to lean towards a fish diet, and dairy is the one thing that we've been conscious about ... cutting back on cheese, milk and eggs."

Madison's Meal Plan

Breakfast: Flaxseed oatmeal with chia seeds and raisins

Snack: Fruit, like mandarin oranges, after practice

Lunch: Often leftovers from the night before, such as three-bean chili with pita chips

Snack: Smoothie with spinach, pineapple, protein powder, orange-mango juice, rolled oats and chia seeds before afternoon practice

Dinner: "Tonight we're getting ready to make some tacos!"

Age: 28

Hometown: Northville, MI

Event: Ice Dancing

For Chock to pull off her routine so effortlessly, she has to count on the strength and precision of her partner, Evan Bates. To keep his blood sugar up during practice, Bates often keeps sports drinks and snacks on hand at the rink. The pair isn't big on restaurant meals unless they're short on time and energy. "We try to cook at home as best we can because it's healthier and more cost-effective," he says.

Although healthy eating is a major priority while training, Bates isn't opposed to the occasional splurge. "When we're competing, just with the stress and nerves, I feel like my stomach shrinks and I can't eat as much during those few days," he says. "As soon as it's over I'm like, 'Give me a cheeseburger.'" Some quality pizza at a nice Italian restaurant is his go-to meal after a competition.

Evan's Meal Plan

Breakfast: Ezekiel bread with almond butter and jelly and a shake with spinach, blueberries, mango, coconut milk, orange juice and chia seeds

Snack: Smoothie with protein powder, spinach and chia seeds after practice. "As soon as we're off the ice or out of the gym we're replenishing and replacing those burned calories," he says.

Lunch: Often leftovers from the night before, such as three-bean chili with pita chips

Snack: Almonds, dried fruit or applesauce

Dinner: Tacos, or another meal cooked with Chock. "Evan makes great Brussels sprouts," she says.

Age: 29

Hometown: Saranac Lake, NY

Event: Luge

If you thought that luge was just a joyride down an icy chute, think again. Chris Mazdzer puts in a ton of time at the gym, lifting weights to perfect the explosive strength needed at the start of each race. Full body coordination drills are key when it comes to steering down the course, and outdoor sports like mountain biking, soccer, rock climbing and volleyball help him in keeping his motions fluid.

Chris' Meal Plan

Breakfast: Breakfast sandwich with eggs and avocado and a bowl of plain yogurt with honey, chia seeds and hemp seeds

Lunch: Sandwich with a side salad, dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Dinner: "It's always a surprise when on the road, but I try to incorporate some type of protein, starch and vegetable. In Sochi I loved the sushi station," he says.