As high-performing competitors, athletes are subject to some of the most rigorous and all-encompassing health regimens you can imagine, especially when it comes to diet and nutrition. All athletes, particularly Olympians, must adhere to a strict diet that will keep them in shape and help them perform to the best of their abilities. But, just like the rest of us, athletes have their indulgences and are known to enjoy a cheat meal here and there, especially after an intense performance. So here are some favourite cheat meals of Olympic athletes. 

1. LeBron James: French Toast

When it comes to his cheat meal of choice, NBA legend Lebron James has followed in the footsteps of another famous athlete, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The 4-time NBA champ is an avid fan of French toast, particularly layers upon layers of the dessert-like breakfast food topped with loads of syrup. 

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2. Usain Bolt: Chicken Nuggets

Not so much of a cheat meal, as a regular food staple, the fastest man on earth fancies himself quite the chicken nugget connoisseur. The Jamaican track star famously ate 1000 chicken nuggets during his time at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The 8-time gold medalist has shown us that a strict diet isn’t necessarily a recipe for success. 

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3. Simone Biles: Pepperoni Pizza

Simon Biles, the world-famous American gymnast, likes to keep it simple with her cheat meal — and this classic fast food staple is the perfect way to do it. After a long and strenuous training session, the 4-time gold medalist likes to treat herself to a well-earned, cheesy pepperoni pizza. 

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4. Novak Djokovic: Chocolate

Novak Djokovic, the legendary Serbian tennis star, is known for keeping a tight ship when it comes to his highly disciplined training and nutrition regimen. It’s no surprise then that the 24-time Grand Slam winner keeps things relatively tame when it comes to his indulgence of choice: chocolate. 

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5. Allyson Felix: Ice Cream

The 11-time Olympic medalist balances out her nutritious diet with a sweet treat and who can blame her? Famed American sprinter, Allyson Felix likes to enjoy her downtime after a rigorous training session with some ice cream — Ben & Jerry’s Oatmeal Cookie Chunk to be exact.  

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6. Lindsey Vonn: Banna Bread

The 3-time gold medalist alpine skier once famously attributed her win at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to banana bread. The American skier, who typically maintains a nutritious diet, took to baking banana bread during some extended downtime, making around 25 loaves at those. And the rest was history. 

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7. Serena Williams: Tacos

Known for her unmatched prowess on the court, the legendary Tennis star has openly proclaimed her love of tacos. Williams has regularly discussed her soft spot for the Mexican staple, particularly the flavour and variety of tacos and the fact that they can easily be made to fit any strict diet regimen. 

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8. Ryan Lochte: Sushi

Ryan Lochte, the famed American swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist has regularly alluded to the fact that he enjoys a hefty helping of sushi as his primary cheat meal. The versatile and flavourful treat is the meal of choice for Lochte, particularly after a long and strenuous training session. 

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9. Chloe Kim: Breakfast of Champions

Chloe Kim, the famed American snowboarding champion is not as restricted as other athletes when it comes to diet, since her calorie intake should be somewhere around 2200-3200 calories. With that, the 2-time Olympic gold medalist has laid out a robust and hearty breakfast order unlike any other: Chocolate pancakes, biscuits and gravy, toast, and cottage cheese. 

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10. Michael Phelps: Pizza and Pasta

This legendary American swimmer has won a whopping 28 medals at the Olympics (23 of which are gold medals). Phelps is known for his rigorous training methods, so it's no surprise the famed swimmer relies on a high-calorie, heavy-card diet to replenish all of that expended energy. His food of choice: pizza and pasta — the two best carbs known to man. 

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11. Sha'Carri Richardson: Brisket

Sha'Carri Richardson, one of the fastest sprinters in the world, has claimed brisket to be her cheat meal of choice. The Texas native wears her roots on her sleeve with this renowned and unbelievably delicious barbeque staple hailing from the Lone Star state. 

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12. Shaun White: Panda Express

As a professional snowboarder, it's no wonder that the 3-time gold medalist has to stick to a relatively strict diet. However, that doesn’t mean the legendary snowboarder doesn’t experience cravings like the rest of us. His guilty pleasure of choice: Panda Express. White notes that the allure of the widespread fast food brand is particularly strong in places with limited food options like the airport. 

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13. Naomi Osaka: French Fries

Like many of us, tennis champion Naomi Osaka has a weakness for the fried and crispy potato-based classic. Although adhering to a rather strict and minimalist diet while training and competing the 4-time grand slam tennis star is prone to indulge in some pomme frites here and there. 

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14. Mo Farah: Texas Buger

Long-distance runner Mo Farah is known for training hard and logging countless miles and there’s one food he turns to when he’s craving a little something special: the Texas Burger. The protein-packed cheat meal is a guilty pleasure according to the 4-time Olympic gold medalist, especially since he spends so much of his time training stateside where it’s readily available. 

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15. Alix Klineman: In-N-Out 

Alix Klineman, the American beach Volleyball champion, has no reservations when it comes to her favourite cheat meal: In-N-Out burger. The Olympic gold medalist has a rather meticulous order when she indulges in this glorious cheat meal: a double-double with grilled onions, one regular with grilled onions, fries, rootbeer, and a Neapolitan shake. 

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16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Lasagna 

2-time NBA all-star and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is known for his prowess on the court, so it only makes sense that the Canada-born basketball star eats good off the court. But despite his rigorous diet, SGA has made it quite clear that his favourite meal is his mother’s homemade lasagna. 

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17. Giannis Antetokounmpo: Oreos and Milk

Milwaukee Bucks forward and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo is known for his enthusiasm for American junk food. However, the Greek Freak’s indulgence of choice is all too familiar childhood classic: Oreos and milk. This legendary combo is a favourite of the Greek basketball star, with him often sharing his adoration for the famous cookie on social media. 

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18. Nastia Liukin: Mac and Cheese

Nastia Liukin, the American gymnast and 5-time Olympic gold medalist, loves to indulge in a tasty snack now and then. The gymnastics champion tries to eat clean and healthy as much as she can, especially while training. But one of her favourite cheat meals of choice happens to be a guilty pleasure for many: mac and cheese (particularly Annie’s).

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19. David Boudia: Brownies

American diver David Boudia sticks to a rigorous diet, best exemplified by his consistent 6-8% body fat. However, the 4-time Olympic gold medalist is no stranger to some unhealthy indulgences and his cheat meal of choice is brownies, which he claims is a treat his wife turned him on to. 

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20. Jake Kaminski: Buffalo Wings

Jake Kaminski, the American archery world champion, is unabashedly loyal to his hometown of Buffalo, New York. So much so that the 2-time Olympic medalist is also a devotee of his hometown’s famous culinary innovation: Buffalo wings. While generally maintaining a healthy diet, Kaminski does a helping of bone-in Buffalo wings with blue cheese dip on the side. 

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