World record holder Eliud Kipchoge's choice of meal elicited debate globally among his followers and experts. The athlete was spotted eating rice and beans on a metallic (mabati) plate.
"Eating a healthy meal after training is crucial for me. It’s the best way to recover and fuel yourself for the next session," Kipchoge tweeted on Friday, December 4.
The debate centered around his simplicity, his earnings and whether he had a nutritionist to guide him on meals.
One Riq Moran stated that he loved seeing many people inquire what Kipchoge ate, probably expecting a special answer when it was just beans and rice. He added that it highlights how uncomplex athletic is and how humble Kipchoge is.
"I cannot afford to ignore the plate, true personality check," Victor Michael added as other netizens wondered whether the meal was recommended by a specialist.
"Ain't running 42kilometers to eat rice and beans bro," a netizen joked.
Nutrition for sports differs from regular nutrition because athletes require different amounts of nutrients compared to non-athletes. In order to perform optimally, they need to train hard and fuel their bodies appropriately.
There is no substitute or supplement for a well-balanced diet. A healthy, energy-dense diet provides the body with the necessary energy to perform their best, while also preventing early fatigue and potential injury.
Sports nutritionists apply nutrition knowledge to a practical daily eating plan providing the fuel for physical activity, facilitating the repair and building process. This is after an athlete's hard physical work to achieve athletic performance in competitive events, while also promoting overall health and wellness.
"It is important to have a nutritionist. Nutrition affects their well being. I cannot go into specifics of what they do or don't as I am not a nutritionist per se but we coordinate with them to ensure athletics are progressing well," sports psychologist Ilako Kanyali stated.
On his humility, Kipchoge has been lauded by many for the calm outgoing nature that has won him accolades. Despite earning millions, he has managed to avoid controversies and to also live a quiet life.
On Friday, September 11, he stated that manages his wealth through sound management, appropriate packaging, branding and has also ventured into various businesses.
