Secrets Of Cristiano Ronaldo's Eating Pattern, Stay Healthy At The Age Of 40

Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo: Instagram/@cristiano)

JAKARTA - Cristiano Ronaldo, a world soccer star who will approach the age of 40, continues to show outstanding performance on the field. Even at the age of far past the peak of most athletes.

In the recent match against Al-Raed, he was still able to score a brilliant goal even though he was almost 40. Then, what is the secret behind Ronaldo's healthy and fit body at dusk of his career

Of course, the main factor that plays a major role in his fitness is a highly planned and disciplined diet. Not only does it depend on training and genetics, the right diet also supports Ronaldo's ability to survive at the highest level in football.

Ronaldo's approach to nutrition is very disciplined, comparable to his work ethic. From this approach, it is clear that he not only eats to maintain body shape, but maximizes his performance.

Apparently, protein is one of the foundations on Ronaldo's diet, which is important for muscle repair and growth. He also prioritizes complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, with an emphasis on fresh foods and not processed.

Reported by VOI from the Mirror.co.uk page on Friday, February 7, the Real Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer usually eats six times a day in small portions. According to ESPN, this is done to maintain its metabolism and energy levels. Most of the diet is based on:

- Protein without fat: Chicken, fish (mainly big fish, sword fish, and cod), as well as eggs.- whole grains: Red rice, quinoa, and whole wheat paste.- Healthy fats: avocado, nuts, and olive oil.- Fruits and vegetables: Many fresh products to provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Water is also an important part of his routine. Ronaldo avoided sweet drinks. In fact, he refused a Coca-Cola bottle when he was present at the Euro 2020 press conference, which he famously said, "drinking water."

Among all super foods, Ronaldo has one special favorite, namely Bacalhau a Bras, a traditional Portuguese dish made from salted cod fish, onions, potatoes, and eggs.

"Babilhau a Bras reminds me of my home, my childhood, and it keeps me strong," Ronaldo said in an interview.

Ronaldo's love for this dish not only meets his nutritional needs, but also connects it with his cultural roots.

While it may not be the fitness food he usually expects, Bacalhau a Bras is rich in protein and healthy fat, in line with his diet philosophy. When talking about fitness foods, Ronaldo considers chicken as a magic food because it is rich in protein and low in fat.

Unlike most athletes who occasionally enjoy cheat food, Ronaldo rarely violates his plan. For him, steak is cooked well or grilled fish with vegetables as a companion, something that won't interfere with his strict fitness routine.

His former Juventus team-mate Medhi Benatia once revealed that Ronaldo refused the closing dish after their team had just won the game, and chose to eat chicken without any more spices.

"He said, 'No, I don't want that. I have to take care of my body,'" recalled Benatia.

Even when he gathered, Ronaldo remained disciplined. His former team-mate at Manchester United, Patrice Evra, once shared a story about being invited to lunch at Ronaldo's house. Thinking he would be treated to heavy foods, Evra was surprised to find simple foods, namely salads, chicken chests, and water.

"There is no soda, there is no luxury food, only clean, simple, and healthy food. After eating, he wants to play table tennis and then swim. That's when I realized, the day 'chain' for him was still training day," said Evra.