Gulab jamun with ice cream - diet-savvy Neeraj Chopra reveals off-season cheat meal
Neeraj Chopra advocated moderation and self-control when it comes to diet but found nothing wrong in giving himself a few occasional treats.
Olympic and world javelin champion Neeraj Chopra is renowned for his fitness and strict discipline but the Indian athletics icon admits that he holds a soft spot for occasional sweet indulgences.
Chopra featured in the Fit India Champions podcast series on Saturday, providing a peek into his diet and how he manages to satisfy his sweet tooth with an occasional cheat meal, but only in the off-season.
“I am a big fan of sweets,” Neeraj Chopra admitted. “Sometimes I like to eat gulab jamun with ice cream. I don't know how many people would have tried this combination but I find it very enjoyable.”
Gulab jamun, usually served hot, is a classic Indian sweet dish made with milk solids, sugar and rose water.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, considered among the fittest athletes today, also admitted that he is fond of kalakand, also known as Indian milk cake, and some of the traditional Indian sweet dishes like churma, a delicacy made of crushed Indian bread and ghee.
“If I am in my village, we make churma. I am fond of these homemade sweets and avoid ones made in the market,” Chopra, who hails from Panipat, Haryana, said.
Chopra fought obesity as a child and went on to confess that now, his love for sweets only lasts for a few days and a strict regimen usually follows any such indulgences.
“When it comes to diet, emphasising natural foods such as fruits and salads is paramount. Personally, my morning routine includes a breakfast before training, consisting of fruits, yoghurt, oats and eggs,” Neeraj Chopra said, revealing his usual diet.
“Additionally, I have juice and dry fruits. During training, I consume items like bananas, juice or coconut water. Post-training, I prioritise a protein shake within 15 to 20 minutes.”
“Lunch typically involves dal, yoghurt, vegetables, salad and if no roti, then rice or protein-rich non-vegetarian options. I incorporate a recovery period between two training sessions, taking a one-hour nap before focusing on the evening session. Prior to the evening training, I consume something light like chia seeds, dry fruits, or a banana to ensure sufficient energy,” the javelin champion added.
Chopra added that athletes can allow themselves to indulge in cheat meals when not training but once proper training starts, they need to have full control over their cravings.
“When we athletes are in good shape, we don’t feel like eating sweets or fried delicacies because when we train, we get tired very quickly if the diet is not up to the mark. Hence, we do not feel like eating out of our diet plans. Cheat meals are fine but only sometimes,” Chopra concluded.