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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Chelsea Ritschel

'World's strongest man' Brian Shaw eats 12,000 calories a day

While it may sound like a dream come true to be able to eat unlimited calories all day, everyday, the "World’s Strongest Man" claims it’s not as fun as it sounds - and it’s actually hard work.

Brian Shaw, a professional strongman competitor and four-time winner of the World’s Strongest Man competition, shared his daily food intake in a YouTube video - where he revealed just how much food he needs to consume to fuel his body.

According to Shaw, who eats seven meals a day, the diet is specially crafted by a dietician - with the goal to “make me as strong as I possibly can be.”

Interestingly, “eating is the hardest part” of being a strongman competitor for Shaw because “it’s constant and you don’t ever stop.”

This is what Shaw eats in a typical day:

Meal one

Shaw is allowed to pick his choice of cereal - he usually opts for Cinnamon Toast Crunch, in addition to eight eggs and a tablespoon of peanut butter.

Protein - 68g

Carbs - 74g

Fat - 68g

Calories - 1,180

Meal two

For his second meal of the day, Shaw gets his calorie and protein intake up by consuming a protein shake - along with two granola bars and more peanut butter.

Protein - 115g

Carbs - 92g

Fat - 25g

Calories - 1,053

Meal three

Just an hour or so later, Shaw is ready for his third meal of the day - a huge helping of meat and pasta.

The basic meal consists of one pound of organic grass-fed beef, angel hair pasta and red sauce.

Protein - 172g

Carbs - 191g

Fat - 82g

Calories - 2,190

Shaw eats constantly throughout the day (YouTube)

Meal four

For Shaw’s fourth meal, he drinks another protein shake - this time made with unsweetened almond milk and frozen organic blueberries, in addition to more peanut butter.

Protein - 112g

Carbs - 89g

Fat - 22g

Calories - 1,002

Meal five

Shaw consumes organic ground turkey made of 93 per cent lean meat, rice and broccoli for his fifth meal.

Protein - 117g

Carbs - 145g

Fat - 41g

Calories - 1,417

Meal six

Shaw’s sixth food intake of the day is pasta from a pizzeria.  

His sixth meal is typically another pound of beef, potatoes and asparagus, however, he switched it to a more carb-heavy meal because "tomorrow is a huge training day."

He estimates the meal is around 3,400 calories.

Meal seven

His final meal of the day consists of more protein powder and cheesecake. According to Shaw, he is allowed to choose his serving size of cheesecake, typically about two or three slices. On this day, he decides to consume four slices - as that’s all that remains of the dessert. 

Protein - 105g

Carbs - 107g

Fat - 89g

Calories - 1,649

Overall, Shaw’s immense total food intake of 12,019 calories leaves him feeling “perfect” - after feeling “fairly hungry” throughout the day.

In addition to six times the average caloric intake suggested for an average male, Shaw also consumed 705g of protein, 1,402g of carbs and 399g of fat.

And while he laments about having to eat “constantly,” Shaw is aware that his body requires the food to be able to dead lift 1,140lbs - his personal record.

“I’m just eating to be the strongest human being on the planet,” he said.

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