Horse racing is a sport where the horses are at the center of attention, and jockeys sit aside as unsung heroes. Most people don’t know the sacrifice and hard work that goes into being a jockey.
No regular people can jump on those thoroughbreds and ride at 40mph with 10 more horses really close to you. It is no doubt one of the most dangerous sports today, where one mistake can cost you a lot.
According to TwinSpires, since 1908 only 40 Kentucky Derby horses won the race as favorites, which comes at around 35%. This proves that the jockey has an important job, and can even push an underdog horse to win the race.
Apart from being physically fit, jockeys also need to maintain a strict weight. After all, you want to be as light as possible in order to make it easier for the horse to run faster.
So, what are jockeys eating? And how do they manage to stay fit at all times?
Professional Jockey’s Diet
Well, let’s dig deeper into jockey’s diet, and find out some nutrition tips from athletes that have been in the industry for a long time.
You might be wondering, what on earth does a jockey eat? Are we talking about a secret society of salad worshippers or a clandestine club of carb loaders? The truth, as it turns out, is as complex as a triple crown winner’s lineage.
- Protein Power: Lean and Mean is the game, with chicken, fish, and plant-based proteins leading the charge. These aren’t your average gym bro’s protein shakes but carefully measured portions to maintain muscle without gaining an ounce.
- Carbohydrates, but Make It Complex: Forget simple sugars that spike your energy and crash faster than a longshot in the final furlong. Jockeys opt for complex carbs like sweet potatoes and whole grains, providing the stamina needed for rigorous training and race days.
- Hydration Station: Imagine trying to balance on a speeding bullet while maintaining laser focus. Now, try doing that dehydrated. Jockeys swear by staying hydrated, with water and electrolyte-packed beverages being their drinks of choice.
Nutrition Strategies
So, how do they do it? How do jockeys stay feather-light without sacrificing strength? It’s not just about what they eat but how and when.
- Timing is Everything: Eating small, frequent meals keeps their metabolism revving without weighing them down. Think of it as refueling a jet mid-air; precision is key. Their meal is only 500 calories, which means that it is really small, but they are frequent throughout the day.
- Quality over Quantity: Every calorie must pack a punch. There’s no room for empty calories when you’re limited to a diet stricter than a royal guard’s post.
- Supplemental Guidance: With such restricted diets, jockeys lean on vitamins and supplements to fill any nutritional voids. It’s about as close to alchemy as modern science allows, turning mere mortals into ironclad competitors.
FAQs
Do Jockeys Ever Cheat (On Their Diets)?
Let’s be real; everyone loves a good cheat meal. Even jockeys indulge occasionally, proving they’re human after all. The key? Bouncing back with discipline.
Can I Try a Jockey Diet to Lose Weight?
While the jockey lifestyle might seem like a fast track to weight loss, it’s tailored to their specific occupational hazards and fitness demands. For us mere mortals, a balanced diet and regular exercise might be less… intense.
A Day at the Races
Imagine, if you will, a day in the life of a jockey’s diet. Breakfast might be a small omelet with veggies, lunch a grilled chicken salad, and dinner a piece of salmon with quinoa and steamed broccoli. Snacks? Nuts, seeds, and fruits make the cut. Throughout the day, water is their faithful companion, keeping them hydrated and ready for the track.
Jockeys avoid eating foods that might upset their stomach before a race. They stick to a good old simple breakfast, that has more proteins. Some even decide to go on carb fasting a few days before the race just to squeeze out every bit of weight before the race.
Can You Eat Like Jockey?
Well, regular people don’t need to go to that extreme when creating their ultimate diet plan. Jockeys are professionals and their weight is really important, but fortunately for you and me, we can enjoy more food and still end up looking good.
So, what can we learn from jockeys?
Well, their diet is mostly protein-based, and they don’t eat much carbs. On top of that, some jockeys don’t eat anything that is white. So, white flour (bread), white pasta, rice, etc. are off the menu.
Why? Well, because they are carbs that lead to weight gain.
So, if you want to follow a jockey’s diet, try to focus more on protein, lower the amount of carbs you eat, forget about cheat days and anything sweet, and carefully plan your meals.
But as we mentioned before, you don’t need to go that extreme. Creating a balanced meal with healthy ingredients that include meat, carbs, fruits, and vegetables 3-5 times a day is good enough. Plus, you can have a cheat day, there is nothing wrong with that. It’s not like you are going to race in the Kentucky Derby after all.
