National Games: Hong Kong athletes reveal their diets – and their ‘cheat’ foods
Alongside getting the right nutrients to train and compete, some of the city’s stars love a good cheeseburger or milkshake
Cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing has a weakness for cheesecake, while for rugby sevens star Cado Lee Ka-to it’s double cheeseburgers and sprinter Alton Kwok Chun-ting just loves a milkshake.
Hong Kong’s elite athletes have to consume lots of the right foods – meat, vegetables and so much rice – when they are training or in competition, but when they can “cheat” for a day, the options are endless.
And unlike tennis star Novak Djokovic, who famously limited himself to one square of chocolate as a treat after an epic six-hour Australian Open victory over Rafael Nadal, there appears to be little holding back.
Hilda Choi Yan-yin – triathlete
“I need a lot of carbs and protein and take vitamin C and D supplements.
“Having periods means you need to regularly check your iron levels, and I take iron supplements. I have magnesium for recovery and protein post-training.
“Coming from an Asian culture, I love eating rice; I have it every day for lunch and dinner. I’ll eat any meat alongside; I’m not picky and don’t follow a special diet; I just make sure I get all the nutrients I need. I will have whatever meat is in the Hong Kong Sports Institute canteen.