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It's important to remember that because these athletes exercise so beyond what even a normal active person would, they generally must also supplement their diet.

I don't eat as much as an athlete should. I just don't like it.

An athlete may not know what they're putting in their body.

But I like to think an athlete is an athlete.

Being an athlete, you try to get protein.

What Olympians eat can vary tremendously depending not only on the events they're competing in, but also their body type and lifestyle outside the Olympic arena. Their diets are affected not only by the demands of their sports, but by everything else in their lives, things that are almost impossible to accurately measure and factor in.

Nutrition is also a valuable component that can help athletes both protect themselves and improve performance.

It's easy to diet or get off a diet when you've got a juicy role to play.

As a coach you can influence the diet of your players. You can point out what is wrong.

At the most elite level, your nutrition becomes a lifestyle: it's not something you have to do when you're preparing for Olympic games or World Cup games - you just do it. You're more inclined to eat healthier because it's better for your muscles.