How Michael Phelps Adjusted His Eating Habits After His 10,000-Calorie Diet

Michael Phelps has figured out his gold standard for staying healthy. 

The Olympian shared how his eating habits have changed since retiring from competitive swimming, which required he keep a diet that consisted of 10,000 calories per day. 

"I probably eat cleaner now than I used to," Michael exclusively told E! News at the June 26 premiere of his docuseries Fueled By, "and that's just because I'm not eating as much as I used to."

In order to hit his calorie goal when he trained for the Olympics, the 38-year-old confessed that he often resorted to consuming junk food in the past. 

"There's no way you can just eat clean and get all those calories," Michael explained. "So, I was trying to cram ice cream and whatever I could into my system."

Now, the gold medalist has the freedom to be "more picky" about his diet. As he put it, "Eating was a full-time job for so long, so now I kind of just eat what I need and what I want to—not just pretty much devouring everything in my sight."

That's not the only way Michael's lifestyle has evolved since leaving professional swimming behind. These days, the athlete—who took home a record 28 medals before retiring from his sport in 2016—spends a lot of his time making sure his four kids Boomer, 8, Beckett, 6, Maverick, 4, and Nico, 6 months, with wife Nicole Johnson stay active and healthy. It's a mission that also extends to his beloved pup. 

That's why he was excited to team up with Purina Pro Plan for Fueled By, a docuseries that explores the commitment of athletes to their respective sports and the vital role nutrition plays in driving their active lifestyle with their dogs.

"If I was just eating junk food all the time, then I wouldn't be able to push my body to go the speeds that I was going," Michael said. "And it's the same thing for a dog. So for me, making sure that I'm getting the right nutrients, it's the same thing for her."

Noting that "dogs are just like humans" when it comes to healthy eating, he added, "She's my best friend so [I'm] making sure she has the right things to be able to fuel her throughout the day, give her the right energy throughout the day, but also build the muscles that she needs."

- Reporting by Nikaline McCarley

Keep reading for more stars and their adorable furry friends. 

The Yellowstone star introduced his new dog  to the world in February 2024, writing on Instagram, "I'm already in love with this special guy."

The Sex and the City alum adopted the same kitten Carrie Bradshaw takes in during the second season of And Just Like That.

Party crasher! The late night talk show host's dog Gary joined him as he perfomed a remote opening monologue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They're always there when you need them! The Legally Blonde star was comforted by dogs Pepper and Lou while battling a sinus infection.

T.Swift is arguably our favorite cat lady, especially when she posts pics with her cat Meredith. She took her love for cats to another level by starring in the movie Cats.

The Big Bang Theory actress has many four-legged friends keeping her busy at home.

"Guess what everyone it's time for me to post THIS photo again. happy birthday to the light of my life. my gooooszeeessskeh. i love u i love u i love u," the "Dangerous Woman" singer wrote in honor of her dog. 

The Carnival Row actor smiled for a picture with his fiancée's pup Nugget!

Dogs will always be there for you! The Friends star loves cuddling up to her dog Clyde.

The makeup mogul is a proud parent to multiple Pomeranians.

The YouTuber's cat Frankie sure knows how to photo bomb! Frankie and sibling Declan also have their own Instagram account with over 200K followers.

"Our pre-workout ritual. We throw on 'Rocky Mountain Way' from Joe Walsh and get to rough housin'. He's definitely 'on one' and feelin' himself today cause he killed a lizard," the actor wrote on Instagram. "He also knows when I lay down its a trap! Smart boy. Let's get to work."

The Euphoria star gushed about her four-legged friend, "Missing my son...I get to see him in like 3 days #NoonyinNY."

"Nothing beats riding your horse on the beach," the Hunger Games alum joked.

The model is mom to a pet rabbit named Cecil Bunny Delevingne. With a name like that, we are sure the bunny has quite the personality.

This family loves their bulldogs! King Maximus and Princess Alexus have their own Instagram page, too!

The Seatttle Seahawks quarterback brought this adorable pooch home to Ciara. "New Pup Alert!!! Welcome to the Wilson Family!" he captioned the precious pic. 

The former Bachelor Nation couple rang in the holiday season with their dogs, Ramen and Pinot.