Do you have a signature dish?
That would have to be an Indonesian prawn and rice dish with smashed pickled cucumber. It was a recipe that I discovered years ago and it’s one I really enjoy making. It’s got the right balance of flavour and spice, the pickled cucumber adds a sweet yet tangy kick which complements the rice.
What’s your favourite treat food?
I am a fiend for chocolate. I’m quite good at not over-indulging, but I do have a sweet tooth. I feel incomplete if I don’t have some chocolate after dinner. I also love those pink and blue fizzy bottles you can get from the sweet shop.
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What does a typical day of training food look like?
Following breakfast and my morning session, I’ll grab a flat white from my local coffee shop, as well as a fancy sausage roll – it has become the champion fuel for our afternoon session. Following training, I’ll have some good quality protein, like steak, chicken or fish, and pair it with either rice or pasta. I’m a bit of a bread and butter snob so will sometimes just have that alongside my protein source and vegetables – I have a bread-maker so enjoy making my own. I will often have an early afternoon meal and then a later evening meal on big training days.
What are your go-to energy-boosting snacks?
A peanut butter and maple syrup flapjack. I have a recipe I use which includes seeds. If I can’t make my own, I’ll grab one on the go.
How do you keep your diet varied when you have to follow such a strict training regimen?
Variation normally comes in the sauces that accompany my dinner, but there are times I will change up the fruits I add to my porridge, or side dishes to add some variation. I know what works for me and have enough variety in flavours that it doesn’t get boring.
What do you eat on your days off?
Days off don’t vary too much if I’m honest, but I will give myself the odd cheat meal here and there. I absolutely love Turkish and Mexican food, so those will be my go-to for a bit of a treat. I’m a soft tissue therapist and trainee osteopath on the side, so fuelling up on clinic days will be eggs, avocado and bacon on sourdough to keep me going.
What would your top diet and exercise advice be for amateur athletes?
Fuel your repair from exercise sessions with good quality protein sources, and energise with natural slow-release carbohydrates. If weight control is important, get on a gradual deficit rather than trying to lose weight too quickly. As a high jumper, I have to manage my weight, but it’s so important to keep the balance. Getting the right weight for competition needs to be gradual, and I can only maintain a real deficit for a couple weeks. After a competition, I will have to replenish my stores.
Do you have any advice for getting more protein into your diet?
If natural food isn’t possible because you are on the go, for example, I would suggest supplementing your protein sources with shakes or bars. Boiled eggs can be a fantastic protein source to carry with you, too.
Apart from your speciality, what’s your favourite sport/exercise?
My favourite sport alongside high jump is basketball. I love the fast-paced nature of the game and the teamwork involved. I will return to it after my athletics career.
What’s your favourite recipe on goodfood.com?
The vegan banana bread. Did I mention I had a sweet tooth? It’s so easy to make and great for using up bananas!
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