Lucky Foods: Must-Eats for Athletes and Celebs

Usain Bolt broke the world record for the 100-meter dash at the London Olympics with his super-speedy time of 9.63 seconds. Even more amazing than his finishing time is what he had in his stomach when he won the gold. Bolt admitted that he'd eaten a few Chicken McNuggets from McDonald's before the race. The track star was also known to chow down on nuggets during his time at the Beijing Olympics, where he was awarded several gold medals. While Bolt hasn't officially dubbed chicken nuggets his serendipitous pre-run meal, you could call them his lucky "McCharm."

Celtics Basketball star Paul Pierce may be a tough guy on the court, with his Championship ring and over 20,000 baskets as a Celtics player alone, but his pregame food habits are certainly kid-like. What must he do exactly 55 minutes before every game? Paul Pierce eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. No word on whether he likes the crusts cut off. Try these remixed peanut butter and jelly recipes.

Katy Perry's food requests at concerts and events lean toward the healthy side. In fact, fruits and veggies are her main necessity. Perhaps they help her belt out the lyrics to her famous songs. Add some healthy eats to your diet with these fruit and vegetable recipes.

Wade Boggs is a superstitious guy. Throughout his 18-year baseball career as a professional third baseman, Boggs ate chicken before every single game. He also woke up at the exact same time every day and was obsessed with the number 17, using it to dictate ground ball practice and what time he would start sprints and batting practice. He even published a cookbook about chicken called Fowl Tips: My Favorite Chicken Recipes. Check out our collection of 100+ chicken dishes to plan your pre-game meal.

Michael Phelps is known for his crazy food habits, eating 12,000 calories per day while training and competing — and not the healthiest foods either. During the Beijing Olympics he ate several fried egg and cheese sandwiches laden with mayonnaise, a five-egg omelet, grits, French toast, and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. In London, the swimming star kept it a little healthier with eggs, oatmeal, and fruit. What's the common denominator in Phelps' pre-race breakfasts? Eggs! Get a protein boost with these egg recipes.

Justin Bieber doesn't want to forget his Canadian roots and that is reflected in the foods he just can't perform without. The young star must have his Canadian Big Foot candies.

Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia flyers follows a well-known hockey superstition — he doesn't shave when his team is winning. But the game-winning tricks don't end there. Giroux must also eat a grilled cheese sandwich before every game. His mom served him grilled cheese sandwiches before games when he was a kid. Now he can't go out on the ice without one. There is even a Facebook group called "Claude Giroux's pregame Grilled Cheese Sandwich" to honor his superstitious tradition. Warm up with one of these grilled cheese sandwiches.

Adele has a slew of complicated directions for her must-have concert eats. In addition to mini candy bars, individually wrapped sandwiches, and beers that are not North American, the singer also requests 2% milk.

What is volleyball champ and repeat gold medalist Kerri Walsh's game-day food secret? It's all about the almond butter and honey sandwiches. Walsh eats them all day long and they keep her satisfied throughout each match.

The infamous Alex Rodriguez, or A-Rod, of the New York Yankees is actually a pretty healthy guy. Mornings before a game A-Rod starts his day off right with a bowl of fresh fruit. Although Yankee fans who have watched Rodriguez struggle in some games over the past couple of years may argue it's time for a new food ritual — anything to help out the team.

Jennifer Lopez requires some particular foods at her video shoots, concerts, and events. The list is long, but it's the sweets that stand out. In addition to different fruits, the star must have apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies, all a la mode. Indulge in these sweet apple pie recipes.

Peyton Manning may attribute his stellar success to focus and hard work, but eating the same meal before every single game, no matter what time it starts, has got to have a little superstition behind it. What does the football quarterback consume before every kickoff? His pregame meal consists of two pieces of grilled chicken, a bowl of pasta with marinara sauce, a plain baked potato, a side of broccoli, and Gatorade. Carb-loading for the game? Try these easy pasta dishes.

Kanye West sure likes his beverages. The singer requires lots of different nonalcoholic drinks in specific quantities as well as many alcoholic products at his shows. He also needs his pistachios, but they have to be green. No red pistachios allowed.

Unlike Manning's commitment to a healthy pregame meal, Brian Urlacher of the Bears has a different kind of food superstition. Urlacher eats exactly two — no more, no less — chocolate chip cookies before every game. These chocolate chip cookie recipes are definitely worthy of a touchdown celebration.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan wasn't messing around with his pre-game meal ritual. In fact, he packed in such heavy food that it's a wonder he could move around at all on the court, let alone perform as one of basketball's finest. Four hours before every game, Michael Jordan ate steak and potatoes. The basketball star said it gave him the energy to play. Power up with these steak recipes.