Natalya Coyle

This Olympic pentathlete has to work to get enough food in to fuel her training, and she always has pasta and rice in her kitchen cupboard

What did your mother make you? My mum always makes amazing dinners that fill me up after training. There’s nothing I crave more when I’m away! What is the meal you will always remember? The night before I flew to the London Olympics, my friends came over and we had dinner. I can’t even remember the food, but I will always remember the great feeling I left with. What was your defining food experience? I love trying new food, so hopefully I’ll keep having defining food moments all my life. What’s the first dish you ever cooked? When I was very young, I used to help my grandma make the brandy butter for Christmas dinner. No one ever even used it in the end, but I always remember her letting me mix it up. What is your comfort food? I love sweet-potato fries and chips. What is your hangover cure? Putting sunglasses on, going out to brunch and sitting there for hours over pancakes and coffee. What do you drink? I don’t drink that often due to training and competitions, but if I do, I like a glass of wine with dinner when I’m out. You can only eat three things for the rest of your life — what are they? Pasta; cheese; and vegetables — I know that’s cheating, but I am a big fan of all things veg! What’s the most appetising smell? The smell of onions being fried in butter is amazing. You always think something amazing is on the pan, and then you realise it’s just onions. How important is food to you? Food fuels me for my training and then helps me repair my muscles overnight, so it’s incredibly important. It’s also a way of catching up with friends and family. What do you always have in your fridge or cupboard? Lots of milk, berries, all different types of vegetables and meat. In the cupboard, I will always have pasta, rice and lots of flavours to spice up a meal. What’s your favourite restaurant in Ireland? I love Eastern Seaboard in Drogheda for dinner, and Kale + Coco on Hatch Street in Dublin for a smoothie bowl in the morning! What’s your sweet treat? I love jelly sweets — the pick ’n’ mix stand in the cinema is my go-to place! What’s your signature dish? Anything pasta-orientated, with roasted vegetables on the side Are you careful about what you eat? I am training around 25 hours a week currently, so that means I am burning around 4,000 calories. So, for me, it’s about getting the quantity of food in, and making sure I refuel well. Is there anything you’ve had to cut out or cut down on that you miss? I try not to cut out anything. If you make a diet too strict, then you’re bound to fall back into old habits. I try to have something I want every day and make sure I enjoy my meals. Natalya is the Health & Wellness Ambassador with Aramark, the global provider of awardwinning services in food, facilities management and property. Natalya is working to promote healthy lifestyles in Irish workplaces.

“If you make a diet too strict, then you’re bound to fall back into old habits”