Breakfast of Champions

American swimmer Michael Phelps won more gold medals in Beijing than all the Arab countries in the last three Olympics combined. That’s impressive for him, and pretty damn humiliating for us.

But it is not the super-human feat that got the medical community buzzing – it is his diet. In order to maintain his weight, Phelps consumes 12,000 calories per day – almost six times the daily recommended average for a man of his age.

The most talked about meal in Phelps diet was breakfast, which consists of:
– Three fried-egg sandwiches with cheese
– Two cups of coffee
– One five-egg omelette
– One bowl of grits (milled corn kernels)
– Three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar
– Three chocolate-chip pancakes.

Our deputy editor challenges Phelps in his most impressive feat – breakfast

10:15am
The food looks good. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach – actually, it is probably just the pancake dough I ate while preparing the breakfast.

10:17am
I am getting flashbacks to the Eid mansaf-eating contests with my brother.
I am not worried though – I always win

10:20am
The fried eggs sandwiches are the first to go. The bread could have been a little less crunchy and I could have done without the mayo in the morning. Getting excited about getting to the omelette.

10:30am
The three eggs sandwiches, three quarters of the five-egg omelette and the first cup of coffee are gone. Let’s go ahead and add a bottle of water. Starting to feel a little worried by how much food is left on the table.

10:40am
Half a chocolate-chip pancake, one slice of French toast and some corn flakes remain. I am not a big fan of sweets... should have started with the pancakes. Need a walk around the table.

10:47am
Does it make a difference if I leave the last slice of toast? My wife insists I don’t.

10:52am
Done and officially past the puking danger zone. All I need now is a pool. Someone needs to carry me to Beijing’s water cube. Actually I need a bed.

3:30pm
Lunch at Fuddruckers.