What India's Javelin Star Neeraj Chopra, Who Has a Sweet Tooth, Eats in a Day

Indian track and field athlete Neeraj Chopra, who won the silver and gold medals in javelin at the Olympics in 2024 and 2021 respectively, admits to having a sweet tooth despite following a strict diet. He recently appeared on Fit India Champions podcast series where he shared what he eats in a day and how he balances his sweet cravings with his fitness goals.

“I am a big fan of sweets. 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,” Chopra said on the podcast.

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He added, “If I am in my village, we make churma. I am fond of these homemade sweets and avoid ones made in the market.” Haryana’s golden boy also confessed that he is fond of kalakand.

What does Neeraj Chopra eat in a day?

The Olympian starts his day with a breakfast of fruits, yoghurt, oats, and eggs. He follows this up with juice and dry fruits before training. During training sessions, he opts for energy-boosting snacks like bananas, juice, or coconut water. Post-workout, protein is a priority, and he typically consumes a protein shake within 20 minutes.

For lunch, Chopra enjoys a balanced meal of dal, yoghurt, vegetables, and salad. On days when he craves a change, he substitutes roti with rice or opts for protein-rich non-vegetarian options. Before his evening training session, he consumes chia seeds, dry fruits, or a banana.

Dinner consists of vegetables, salad, and non-vegetarian items. To round off his day, Chopra consumes milk, dates, and jaggery before bed.

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“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.

Neeraj Chopra was a strict vegetarian until 2016. However, during a training camp in Portland, USA, he included non-vegetarian food in his diet to curb weight loss. Despite the change, he maintains a preference for vegetarian options whenever possible.