Eat like an athlete – Claire Rafferty’s diet

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/07/cropClaire-Rafferty-0c7fb82.gif?quality=90&resize=620,413" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/07/cropClaire-Rafferty-0c7fb82.gif?quality=90&amp;resize=360,239 360w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/07/cropClaire-Rafferty-0c7fb82.gif?quality=90&amp;resize=180,119 180w, " sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" width="620" height="413" class="wp-image-895146 alignnone size-landscape_thumbnail" alt="Claire Rafferty headshot" title="Claire Rafferty" /> <p>Former England, Chelsea and West Ham footballer and sports pundit, Claire was part of the Team GB 2012 women’s football team. Outside of football, Claire has an economics degree which she graduated with from Loughborough University in 2011.</p>
<p><strong>Next, read <a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-when-running-marathon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what to eat and drink when training for a marathon</a> and <a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-your-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what to eat before a run</a>. We also have information on what to eat on <a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-heavy-training-days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heavy training days</a> and <a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-rest-or-low-intensity-training-days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rest and easy training days</a>. </strong></p>
<h2>Claire Rafferty’s diet</h2>
<h3>What are your go-to energy-boosting snacks?</h3>
<p>I love snacking on things like pitted dates and dried fruits like mango which give you an energy boost.</p>
<h3>How do you keep your diet varied when you have to follow such a strict training regimen?</h3>
<p>I am constantly watching cooking programmes, searching for new recipes and love to try new things, so variety is the spice of life for me.</p>
<h3>What do you eat on your days off?</h3>
<p>I do love a takeaway pizza now and again from my local, but I focus on recovery foods which typically means more rice and pasta.</p>
<h3>What would your top diet and exercise advice be for amateur athletes?</h3>
<p>Everything in moderation. What we eat reflects how we feels and who we are.</p>
<h3>Do you have any advice for getting more protein into your diet?</h3>
<p>Focus on the foods you enjoy that are <a href="/howto/guide/best-sources-protein">high in protein</a>. For me, I love <a href="/recipes/collection/healthy-bean-recipes">beans</a> and <a href="/recipes/collection/healthy-lentil-recipes">lentils</a> but not everyone does so if you struggle with those, try to disguise them in soups or add them to your dishes with spices, herbs or sauces.</p>
<h3>Apart from your speciality, what’s your favourite sport/exercise?</h3>
<p>I recently joined my local rugby team. I had previously only ever played football, so trying something new and enjoying it has given me a new lease of life.</p>
<h3>What’s your favourite recipe on goodfood.com?</h3>
<p>It has to be the <a href="/recipes/chicken-gyros">chicken soulavki recipe</a>, especially now we are coming into BBQ season. It’s a really easy recipe to follow and includes all of my favourite ingredients.</p>
<p><b>Want more like this? Now try…</b></p>
<p><a href="/howto/guide/how-recover-after-your-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What to eat after a run</a><br>
<a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-during-your-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What to eat during a run</a><br>
<a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-cycling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What to eat before cycling</a><br>
<a href="/howto/guide/what-eat-during-cycling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What to eat during cycling</a><br>
<a href="/howto/guide/what-should-i-eat-if-i-exercise-morning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What should I eat if I exercise in the morning?</a></p>
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<p><em>All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website <a href="https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions">terms and conditions</a> for more information.</em></p>