How Olympic Champion Jessie Diggins Fuels Her Decade-Long Skiing Dominance
Olympic gold medallist Jessie Diggins has spent over a decade refining her approach to daily fueling. The three-time Winter Olympian now views consistent nutrition as the foundation of her long-term success in skiing. Her strategy, built on consistency and small adjustments, reflects a broader trend among elite athletes who prioritise steady habits over quick fixes.
Experts from the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) agree that simple, sustainable daily nutrition makes the difference in endurance sports. For athletes like Diggins, this means preparing meals in advance, adding nutrient-rich foods, and adapting intake to training demands—even in freezing conditions where hydration and appetite become harder to manage.
Early in her career, Diggins believed fueling only mattered around intense workouts or competitions. Over time, she realised that daily nutrition was just as vital for recovery, injury prevention, and longevity. Now, she focuses on small, practical changes—like incorporating nuts and seeds into meals or prepping ingredients ahead of time—to maintain energy levels year-round.
Her approach aligns with advice from USOPC dietitians like Carrie Aprik, who designs personalised daily nutrition plans for winter athletes. Aprik stresses that consistency and flexibility in eating habits help top performers adapt to different training phases. Maggie McCrudden, another USOPC dietitian, adds that athletes who rely on quick fixes often struggle, while those who build steady routines thrive over multiple Olympic cycles.
Hydration presents a unique challenge at the Winter Games. Cold weather dulls thirst and appetite, forcing athletes to sip water regularly to avoid dehydration. Frank Del Duca, a Team USA bobsled driver, also highlights the role of daily nutrition in enduring extreme winter conditions. For Diggins, this disciplined approach has allowed her to compete across three Olympics—2018 in PyeongChang, 2022 in Beijing, and now preparing for 2026 in Milano Cortina—while recovering from injuries and sustaining peak performance.
Diggins credits her career longevity to a focus on everyday fueling rather than last-minute adjustments. By working with dietitians and refining her daily habits, she has maintained the stamina needed for multiple Olympic cycles. For winter athletes, this balance of consistency and adaptability remains essential—both on and off the snow.
