What Athletes Eat in Summer to Stay Lean and Shredded?

While you are sweating just by sitting down, some pro football player is training twice a day. Showing off their shredded bodies and flexing muscles, but is it the training or the food that does the job during summer days?

“I Focus on Real Food” - What does it Mean?

“Every meal is majority meat, fruit, and vegetables - because real food builds real results.”

Ryan Fischer - CrossFit Athlete

Fischer emphasizes the importance of whole foods in achieving a lean physique. He used blueberries as an example because of their low calorie intake. The 5-pound bag has only 700 calories.

“It’s simple, try the Meat and Nuts breakfast.”

Charles Poliquin - Strength Coach

Charles promoted a low-carbohydrate, meat-based diet: fish, chicken, or red meat with nuts like macadamia, hazelnuts, or almonds. Is this the best way for your body?

Tips to Make Your Own Recipe for a Summer Body

Each body is different, and even pro athletes know that. That’s why you can find so many opinions on what works the best. So, the best way to do it is to find what suits you.

Fat that Fuels, not Fattens

Fats are not here to destroy your body, they just need to be clean and portion-controlled.

A summer athlete's diet includes:

Avocados (potassium-rich, cooling)

Olive oil (anti-inflammatory)

Omega-3s from fish

Almonds and walnuts

Summer Superfoods

Tart cherries (recovery, inflammation control)

Watermelon (hydration, nitric oxide boost)

Cucumber (hydration, low calorie)

Leafy greens (fiber)

Lean Protein All Day

Eggs or egg whites

Grilled Chicken

Salmon or tuna

Make sure you hydrate with proper drinks instead of juices and shakes. Instead of just drinking water, you can use coconut water, sodium-rich drinks, or even pickle juice to retain fluid and avoid cramping.

Timing My Meals is the Biggest Challenge

I found that timing is also crucial for a successful diet. Sometimes after lunch, my body just wants to lie down and do nothing while the food digests. This mostly happens when I have some non-physical tasks to manage.

When it comes to training, I feel fine to eat 1 hour before. So, I figured that eating 1 hour before training, then taking a shake after, works. The next meal would be after I finish these mental chores, like working on my laptop. And the last meal is before my “free time."