Daily Digestive: Brian Boitano

By time you read this diary, Brian Boitano will be already in Sochi, preparing for his role as part of the official U.S. presidential delegation for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Brian is hardly a stranger to the Olympic games. This will be the fourth time representing the United States ― the last three times he was a participant.

Brian has won over 50 titles including the U.S. Figure Skating Championships four times, the World Championships twice, before reaching an all time career high in 1988 when he won the gold medal for figure skating at Olympics in Calgary. In 1996, he was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame and in 2008 he was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame.

But, it's not just skating which Brian is ardent about, he has had a keen interest in food from an early age. "Along with skating, I've added the business of food and cooking to my repertoire," Brian says. Today, Brian can be counted as one of a handful of athletes who have managed to successfully combine two of their passions ― he is a chef, television cooking personality, cookbook author and still skates professionally!

Brian admits his diet has come a long way from his earlier days. "My diet is more well-rounded than when I was younger and definitely tastier. I would call it clean eating. It's based on a Mediterranean diet with lots of fish and heavy on the greens... When I was younger, I ate a very restricted diet, mostly baked potatoes and salad, and all of it was a very bland preparation," he said.

During the cold winter months, Brian likes to eat almost any kind of braised meat. "I really love that 'fall off the bone' tender goodness," says Brian. "One of my favorite recipes from my cookbook is braised pork shoulder with pineapple juice. The shoulder is cut into individual portions, and each one is tied up with string. After braising them you just pop them under the broiler with a topping of brown sugar, cumin, coriander, and Paprika. Sometimes I serve the pork on a bed of mashed parsnips and celery root. 

Click here for Brian Boitano's Pork Tenderloin with Warm Plum Salsa Recipe.

Brian reveals that he (or his friends, rather) also particularly enjoy his homemade macaroni cheese. "My friends say I make the very best mac and cheese. It has a crunchy garlic breadcrumb topping. I have to double the topping recipe because they eat it by the spoonfuls before I can even get it on top of the cheesy mac!

Another favorite of mine is pasta which I call 'Coq au Vin-guine.' It is a twist on Coq au Vin. I love preparing versatile sides too; like creamless creamed corn or cauliflower and apple puree. These dishes work with everything, and they are super easy to make in advance, says Brian. All of these dishes can be found in his book "What Would Brian Boitano Make?"

His exercise routine is extremely rigorous as he still maintaining his skating career. "Four days a week I am on the ice for an hour and forty five minutes and the other days I'm at the gym doing a mix of cardio, core, strength training and stretching," he explains.

Is there anything Brian is particularly looking forward to trying out in Sochi? " I understand Sochi has its own regional specialties so I'm looking forward to seeing how it differs from the rest of Russia," explains Brian. One thing you can be sure he won't be tasting is Borscht―"The only thing I don't eat now are beets. I think that's because I went on a weird pickled beet diet when I was young. It didn't last too long. The only thing that lasted was my distaste for beets!"

Will Brian score a perfect 10 from Elyse Sosin, RD, for his food log? Let's find out...

Brian's Food Log

7:45-8:55am - Answer emails, read the newspaper, update Facebook and tweet while consuming a huge coffee with half and half and sugar.

9:00-9:15am – Magazine interview on the phone.

9:20 am – Make an organic smoothie that includes flaxseed, chia, half a cup of vanilla coconut milk, tangerine juice, half an apple, handful of blueberries, tablespoon of honey, one floret of broccoli and one of cauliflower, and ice cubes. Jump in car and head to rink.

9:30 am – While driving, talk to HGTV executive about publicity and call two other friends to catch up.

9:45 am - Arrive at rink and warm up off ice.

10:00-11:35 am - Skating workout. I drink water with electrolytes.

11:45am-12:00 pm - Cool down.

12:00 pm - Drive home. I have a post workout drink, talk on phone with manager and touch base with the chef/caterer, about prepping an event at my house. Also, do an interview about my new Cooking channel special from Italy.

12:15 pm - Mail some items for a charity auction.

12:30 pm – Eat tuna salad with chopped roasted Brussels sprouts on top dressed lightly with canola mayo based dressing and served on a slice of wheat toast.

1:00-1:45 pm- Prep some food with chef/caterer for the evening set up. Mixology station for guests. Straighten up house and set the table.

2:00-4:00 pm - Sign cookbooks at the opening of the Vom Fass store in Ghirardelli Square. Grab some Danish smoked salt for rimming cocktails later.

4:15 pm - Eat two pieces of dark chocolate from Ghirardelli Square.

4:30 pm - Head home and on the way check in with chef/caterer for last minute ingredients. Call event coordinator from Williams Sonoma about simple syrups for an event next week.

5:00-5:30 pm - Arrive home. Eat a handful of peanuts and three slices of dried mango and drink a large glass of water while I tweet, check emails, and Facebook...

5:30 pm - Final meeting before the party with the staff.

5:40-6:30 pm- Creating a playlist for the evening, getting ready, and straightening up the house again....yes, I do! Oh, and light candles around the house.

6:30-10:00 pm - Charity dinner for 10 at the house to benefit my Youth Skate program. The menu is from my cookbook recipes and it includes pork tenderloin with warm plum salsa, arugula and nectarine salad with pepperoncini vinaigrette, a side of new red potatoes, wine, water and a dessert trifle made with macerated strawberries layered with vanilla yogurt/ice cream mix and crumbled lemon cookies.

10:15pm- Guests trickle home.

10:30 pm- Drink some Smoky scotch with a single ice cube as a nightcap before I go to bed...final email and phone check...lights out!

Elyse's recommendations: You can tell Brian is an athlete from his diary as he is disciplined about having 3 meals and snacks. All meals include some protein, some fat, and some carbohydrate – which will tide him over for several hours. Even his smoothie is 'virtuous' as it includes: good fat, vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, cruciferous vegetables and water. His food is particularly nourishing early in the morning.

My thoughts:

• Brian's homemade smoothie is a good way to kick off the morning. It includes carbs, protein (small amount) , and fat. One of the ingredients – chia seeds contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, a little protein and omega 3 fatty acids. More research is needed but there may be a relationship between chia seeds and the lowering of cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Brian drinks water with electrolytes while he is skating and then eats soon after with a lunch that includes fish, vegetables, bread and a little mayonnaise.
• Protein is adequate and includes a variety: pork, fish, nuts. Even the ice cream contains a small amount of protein!
• Brian is fulfilling all components of an ideal exercise routine —stretching, strength training and weight training. Even better, he loves it! On the positive side too, he is drinking constantly throughout his routine and makes sure to refuel after his mid morning workout – within 1/2 hour of completion with a mix of carbs, protein and fat.
• Brian mentions that he eats a couple of squares of dark chocolate. Darker chocolate is generally higher in the percentage of cocoa, lower in sugar and is a source of antioxidants.
• A snack of nuts and dried fruit provides some healthy fat, protein and carbohydrate.
• His charity dinner includes pork, plum salsa, nectarine salad, new potatoes, wine and dessert. Brian has a variety of tastes and textures in this meal. And, once again, a mix of fat, protein and carbs.
• Fat content on this day was slightly higher than recommended. Although, it should be noted that Brian had a charity dinner that evening with a rich dessert, so fat consumption is probably not as high on other days.
• Calcium intake is low and Brian needs to keep those bones strong for skating. The coconut milk he drinks may be fortified with calcium and d but other non-dairy sources of calcium include fortified soy yogurt, kale, cooked soybeans, bok choy, and cooked navy beans. Or, he could also opt for the traditional dairy-rich sources such as yogurt, milk, and cheese.
• Alcohol consumption appears to be moderate — he has some wine at his charity event and a quick nightcap later in the evening.

Disclaimer – Elyse Sosin, Nutritionist, is not engaged in rendering medical advice that should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Acting on any information provided without consulting a healthcare provider is at the reader's own risk.