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Fourth-Place Medal

Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:15 pm EDT

Michael Phelps eats 12,000 calories per day

By Chris Chase

After he retires from swimming, Michael Phelps might want to try his hand at competitive eating. The Olympic star recently said he consumes 12,000 calories per day, or 9,500 more than the FDA recommends for an active, young male. 

Phelps has to keep his intake up in order to compensate for all the calories he burns during the 30-hours per week he spends in training. He told NBC that an average day might have the following menu:

Breakfast: 3 fried egg sandwiches, 2 cups coffee, 5-egg omlette, bowl of grits, 3 pieces of french toast, 3 chocolate chip pancakes

Lunch: 1 pound pasta, 2 ham and cheese sandwiches, energy drink (1,000 calorie)

Dinner: 1 pound pasta, 1 large pizza, energy drink (1,000 calorie)

Three years ago, Phelps told an interviewer:

I eat pretty much whatever I want. I don't have a strict diet. It's all about cramming in as many calories into my system as I possibly can. To be honest with you, I have a tough time keeping weight on.

Michael better be careful there. There's no surer way to turn new female fans into former female fans than by complaining about how hard it is to keep on weight.

Photo via Getty Images

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716 Comments

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  1. Peg
    1. Posted by Peg Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Beijing might want to start "faking" attendance at these venues via computer images...why are so many venues half empty?
  2. Charlie
    2. Posted by Charlie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Gangsta
  3. Eliza
    3. Posted by Eliza Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    what does the picture got to do with micheal ? lmfao.
  4. Sana
    4. Posted by Sana Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    Those American swimmers are actually quite attractive. Something must be wrong with you, Cal.
  5. Stanley Wayne
    5. Posted by Stanley Wayne Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    FIND OUT WHAT HE'S LISTENING TO ON TO HIS iPOD BEFORE EACH RACE.
    Sorry about the caps, just trying to get your attention.
    He has the same routine before every race... the stretch, the condor arm flap... but is he rocking out to Lamb of God or what ? lol
    thanks !
  6. Hera
    6. Posted by Hera Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    12000?I heard it was 4000...
  7. The avenger71
    7. Posted by The avenger71 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    By the way Bernard wins Gold at the 100
    so who's choking now Chris? Oh but I'm sure you'll find some racist comments to add to your Stupid stories...
    Get a life you're not half a Journalist!
  8. welld
    8. Posted by welld Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    wu wei zi, get a life or seek medical help. Seriously.
  9. scrabbleking
    9. Posted by scrabbleking Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    NO Way does he eat 12,000/day!!! Complete BS!!!
  10. Doug G
    10. Posted by Doug G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    30 hours a week just doesn' seem like that much. i would swim that much if i had a pool.
  11. Antonio666
    11. Posted by Antonio666 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    wu wei zi is a complete retard.
  12. cc
    12. Posted by cc Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    that looks like kimchi in the pot
  13. cc
    13. Posted by cc Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    he must be listening to heavy metal rock ... to keep his adrenalin up.
  14. dont tread on me
    14. Posted by dont tread on me Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    hello wu wei zi.... while many can sympathize with your grievance you have chosen a stupid an inappropriate venue to vent.....mr.phelps has won more olympic gold than anyone in the modern age!! that is awesome! maybe you dont have free press ?? I think otherwise, you are just another whining crybaby who will use any venue to serve his or her own whiny need. get a life butthead!! commies are 20th century relics for christ's sakes!!!
  15. Jason A
    15. Posted by Jason A Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    I want to share his videos with you
    http://video.vizhole.com/home-sports-swimming/michael_phelps
    enjoy it ... thanks
  16. Brian S (brianguy)
    16. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    the only problem for Phelps trying to consume this much during the games is from the schedule we've seen him doing, he only gets a few opportunities to eat. he doesn't even eat dinner til 10pm many nights during the games
    but this definitely shows what's always been thought of as true, breakfast is the most important meal and should be the biggest one. most people eat a large dinner and small or no breakfast, mistake!! ... also phelps is a very young guy (except by Chinese standards) so that's on his side
  17. Brian S (brianguy)
    17. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    "he must be listening to heavy metal rock ... to keep his adrenalin up."
    I have heard that his pre-competition preference is "rap"... but who knows, maybe he likes to rock out on occassion too
  18. chan c
    18. Posted by chan c Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    i read somewhere that mr. phelps ia an ADHD. is this true ? anyone who can confirm it? ' would appreciate it. not that there is something wrong with being one. look at how michael is verging on - greatness. he's really special. inspiring.awesome....you run out of superlatives describing him..
  19. Shaneomac
    19. Posted by Shaneomac Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    1. wu wei zi is a d-bag.
    2. The reason why there are so many empty seats are because corporate sponsors get a % of tickets before the olympics and they give them out for free to friends/family of their company. It's a waste because then these people don't show up.
    3. Phelps is a machine.
    4. wu wei zi is a d-bag.
    I say good day.
  20. Lester L
    20. Posted by Lester L Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:49 pm EDT

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    @79 -- GREAT 70's show reference
    Anyone else think that Olympic swimming has gotten rediculous with the high-tech body suits? They should just have a standard speedo / one-piece made by the same company that EVERYONE wears (issue them at the start of the race) so that there isn't a clear split between the haves and the have-nots.
  21. IzzI
    21. Posted by IzzI Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    Well the way he swims its not surprising he has to find energy through all those calories. Maybe this would be a good workout plan for people who want to lose weight. hop in that local pool for a bit. It's more fun than running anyway.
  22. chan c
    22. Posted by chan c Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    yeah! he's a machine. a dynamo .somebody even said he's from another planet..whatever..
    he does extraordinary things. seemingly impossible things...that's a fact!
  23. hcodude31
    23. Posted by hcodude31 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    holy crap he eats alot i wish i could eat tht much without being fat
  24. matrickz
    24. Posted by matrickz Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    to clear up that picture - that is a special stew or meal that is served to sumo wrestlers that they consume to get to those enormous sizes. Obviously a different mix size they look for weight as opposed to just calories. They don't work as hard but eat massive calories so they bulk up.
  25. Alexis Rose
    25. Posted by Alexis Rose Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

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    Michael Phelps is definitely amazing. He is so fast i love swimming, and watching him swim inspires me to swim more and maybe be as fast as him one day most likely not but maybe :)
    PS do you think he reads this i hope not

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