There’s no two ways about it: two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman is a big guy. He stands at six feet, eight inches tall, and tips the scales at around 400 pounds.
It takes a lot of food to fuel a frame that big. On Feb. 11, 2024, Stoltman shared how he eats during his prep for the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic, scheduled for March 1 and 2, 2024, in Columbus, OH. See what he has to say (and eat) below:
Tom was joined by his older brother, Luke, for most meals. They own a gym together in Invergordon, Scotland. They train together and compete against each other, but Luke is not scheduled to compete at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic.
Breakfast
The Stoltmans didn’t get bogged down in the finer details of their first meal of the day. They didn’t share the calorie counts or macro breakdowns but did give a rundown of what their hearty breakfast:
- Omelette
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Fruit
- Yogurt
- Pancakes
Nathan Payton is the Stoltman’s nutritionist. He broke down the similarities and differences in the brothers’ diets, explaining that while the basics are similar, Tom’s higher body weight is balanced with larger portions than Luke.
The biggest difference is in their cheat meals. Tom has a voracious appetite, and Payton allows him more leeway with snacks and junk food when Tom is training for competition.
Meal Two
For their second meal of the day, the Stoltmans dropped into Five Guys for a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a “cheeky” milkshake. Luke explained that Payton advised the Stoltmans to eat when they were hungry, and the brothers made the most of their dietary freedom.
Payton explained that the volume of clean food required by the colossal strongmen to sustain training and facilitate recovery is huge. While whole food is always preferred, it’s not always the most practical, given the quantities involved.
While the digestive system is active, the body diverts blood flow to the intestines rather than to the working muscles. Replacing one or two meals with protein shakes can offer the digestive system some relief, allowing them to train more effectively.
Payton also recommended using supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, and fish oils to help support the immune system and general health.
Meal Two and a Half
Tom Stoltman’s “T-rex appetite” kicked in after his second meal. After clearing it with Payton, Tom returned for chicken wings and more fries.
Payton shared that the Stoltman’s’competition day nutrition centers around starch-based carbohydrates in combination with fats, as they are absorbed readily and release energy over a long period.
Meal Three
Tom Stoltman proudly displayed a huge tray of spaghetti meatballs for his final large meal of the day, along with a large pile of garlic bread. This seemed more of a cheat day than a normal day of eating, although the thousands of calories consumed will likely be put to good use in the gym.
Tom Stoltman will return to competitive strongman action at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic on March 1-2, 2024.
Featured image: @stoltmanbrothers on Instagram
