Chow Time: US Ski Team Athletes Discuss Diet and Nutrition

When it comes to physical performance, nutrition is one of the most important aspects of being able to give a course your all. So, how does nutrition differ across disciplines within the professional skiing arena?

We spoke to members of the Stifel US Ski Team to see how their eating habits vary across three disciplines. In the interest of consistency, we asked each athlete the same series of questions. Keep reading for a quick introduction to our athletes followed by a Q&A-style interview with each.

Colby Stevenson is a professional freeskier who won the Silver Medal at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Big Air. He was also crowned the 'King of Corbet’s' at Jackson Hole in 2023.

A multi-talented skier, Stevenson is on top of the freeskiing world with a laundry list of accolades and X Games Medals to his name.

Sydney Palmer-Leger is not only a cross country skier, she is also a five-time U.S. Mountain Bike National Champion, 2020 Junior World Championship Team Relay Silver Medalist, three-time NCAA Champion, 40k classic U.S. National Champion and World Cup ski racer.

In the 2023-24 season, she placed 23rd in the World Cup season finale in Falun, Sweden.

Alpine racer Bella Wright was inducted into the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team for the 2021 season. Wright also competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics (the very next season after she began).

Wright posted her first World Cup Top Ten in 2023, where she took seventh place at the World Cup finals in Andorra.

What do you prioritize when it comes to your diet and nutrition?

Colby Stevenson: "For diet and nutrition, it’s pretty much the same year-round. I eat a lot of protein, carbs, colorful vegetables, and protein mix after workouts, with tons of water. Electrolytes are also very important to keep on top of. Before a big ski day, I eat a huge breakfast so that I can ski until three or four in the afternoon. I’ve also noticed that I never feel like skiing hard after eating lunch; it helps to have a bar or some mixed nuts if needed."

"I also take a lot of supplements, including ‘Juice Plus’, which is a fruit and vegetable capsule that I’ve been on since I was eight years old. Then your classic turmeric, mushroom complex, fish oil, magnesium, multi-vit packet."

Bella Wright: "I prioritize balance with my nutrition. I believe balance is key to my performance as well as my happiness with food. High protein, carbs, fats and oils all play important roles in my diet. I am a born-and-raised vegan and I have always had to make sure everything I put into my body best suits my lifestyle and performance but also allowing myself to eat whatever I want as long as I know I’m getting everything I need. Everything in moderation is what I always say!"

Sydney Palmer-Leger: "As a vegan athlete, I prioritize getting enough carbs and protein as well as keeping a well-balanced diet. As an athlete, it is important to understand and prioritize nutrition for maximizing performance, promoting recovery, and supporting long term health. I like to add tofu, tempeh, lentils, beans, quinoa, and nuts into my diet for adequate protein. I also prioritize getting protein and carbohydrates within a thirty minute window after exercise."

Do you have a nutrition coach or do you make your own decisions around food health?

Colby Stevenson: "I make my own decisions on nutrition. Luckily, my mom is an amazing cook and taught me how to eat healthy early on. Now I just try to eat a wide variety of foods with high protein, antioxidants, carbs, and I stay away from fast food with lots of chemicals and preservatives that are illegal in other countries."

Bella Wright: " I do not personally work with a full-time nutritionist consistently, but I do have access to a nutritionist at the Center of Excellence where I train. I have used nutritionists throughout the years periodically for new ideas or specific things I’ve needed help with. I think it’s a great tool and it’s something I want to use more!"

Sydney Palmer-Leger: "Over the past few years, I've faced challenges with an eating disorder. Fortunately, I've been working closely with a nutritionist to ensure I am fueling my body properly for my athletic endeavors. With a background in kinesiology and a passion for cooking, I am well-versed in creating balanced meals. Nonetheless, having a support system is crucial, especially during times when accessing certain foods may be difficult in competition or certain countries."

Do you change your diet to prep for competitions at all, and if so, in what ways?

Colby Stevenson : "My diet mostly stays the same for competitions. Although in the winter I am on more of an anti-inflammatory diet because there is always something healing on my body. It’s amazing how much I noticed how I was feeling better after cutting sugar, red meat, and alcohol in the winter - it’s worth it."

Bella Wright : "I don’t really change my nutrition before competition. I keep it the same all year long! But if anything I would just make sure I have enough protein and carbs before competition. My personal favorite the night before a race is pasta! It gives me the fuel I need mentally and physically!"

Sydney Palmer-Leger: " Typically, I maintain a consistent diet even during competitions. However, during the summer months, our training intensifies as we prepare for the winter season. With longer training sessions occurring twice a day, it's necessary to increase our food intake to sustain energy levels. I'm already mindful of my nutrition and maintain a healthy diet, so I don't feel the need to make significant changes to my eating habits."

What are you favorite "cheat" foods?

Colby Stevenson: " I’m a fiend for dark chocolate as it’s one of the only ‘health’ desserts, but sometimes I eat Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Instead of toast in the morning sometimes I’ll do waffles with peanut butter and maple syrup (you must try it). Mainly, my rules aren’t incredibly strict, and I’ll eat whatever I want sometimes, anything in moderation is fine."

Bella Wright: "Ooof. I love soda and popcorn! Haha. A sweet and salty combo is my favorite. Like I mentioned before, everything in moderation! I don’t believe in cheating when it comes to my diet or nutrition! I believe in eating whatever makes you happy and makes you preform your best!"

Sydney Palmer-Leger : " Some food that I enjoy the most is anything with chocolate. After a big workout, I enjoy coffee or a sweet treat."

What is your relationship around food as an athlete? Do you find it is different from your non-professional skiing friends, or similar?

Colby Stevenson: " Food is the main thing I love to spend money on. I see it as a direct investment to my health and energy, which allows me to enjoy skiing and other action sports every day, all year. I have seen friends eat unhealthy and simply be depressed and unmotivated, then switch their diet and have great results."

"At the end of the day, you are what you eat. I think about it this way - I’m not going to put 85 octane in my skidoo 850 turbo, it simply won’t get me where I need to go! Also, health passes down through generations. Better take care of yourself with proper nutrition if you want to create generational health!"

Bella Wright: " I would say I’m privileged in the fact that my relationship with food has always been positive. I’ve always seen it as fuel for my body, for my sport and for my health. I don’t necessarily ever count calories or hold myself to certain standards when it comes to food. I just eat what I want, when I want and I allow myself to be happy with that. Being an athlete is for sure different in terms of nutrition compared to the daily person, but that’s a big part of our world so it’s always felt normal to me."

Sydney Palmer: " As an athlete, my relationship with food has been complicated, influenced by my struggles with an eating disorder. As a professional athlete, we are always striving to be better. Cross-country skiers spend countless hours working on perfecting their technique and practicing to become faster. We are all very driven and work hard in our sport. The pressure to constantly improve often leads to a focus on altering our bodies and lifestyles. As a female vegan athlete, my experience mirrors that of many high-performance athletes."

"However, compared to non-athletes it may be different. As cross country skier we want to gain strength but also watch so we don't gain too much muscle mass to get up the hill. This is not usually a consideration for most people when working out in the gym."

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