The Kitchen Tools Olympians Can’t Live Without, According to a Sports Dietitian

The 2024 Olympics have officially kicked off in Paris, and sports bars around the globe are already filling up with excited fans ready to spectate. Watching the world’s best athletes compete this year, you might wonder how they fuel themselves before training and competing. We consulted pro sports dietitian Amy Stephens to learn more about how Olympians cook and eat and which products she recommends her clients keep stocked in their kitchens.

Stephens — a dietitian for the NYU track team and Empire Elite professional running team in New York City — says a big part of the job is teaching young athletes how to cook. She recommends these six essential tools and appliances, and prices start at just $10 at Amazon.

Top Kitchen Products for Olympic Athletes

• Vitamix 5200 Blender, $400, originally $550
• Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender, $50, originally $70
• VitaClay Smart Clay Pot Multi-Cooker, $230
• Cosori Compact Air Fryer, $85 with coupon, originally $100
• Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $34, originally $45
• Zulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Wand, $10

Vitamix 5200 Blender

Stephens recommends a good-quality blender for all of her clients. From protein shakes to sauces, a high-powered blender is essential for so many quick and healthy recipes, and Stephens’ favorite is the Vitamix. “It’s a little pricey, but I think it’s great,” she said. The good news is that our favorite Vitamix is currently $150 off at Amazon.

Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender

If you’re looking for a personal-sized blender, Stephens recommends this 16-ounce compact blender from Ninja. The high-powered motor and ultra-sharp blades pulverize frozen fruits and other tough ingredients in seconds. And don’t just take it from Stephens. This blender is an Amazon number one best-seller with over 31,800 five-star ratings, and it’s on sale now for 29% off.

VitaClay Smart Clay Pot Multi-Cooker

Carbs are a core element of any athlete’s diet, which is why Stephens thinks everyone should own some kind of multi-cooker. “Almost all athletes rely on carbohydrates, so I usually have them making rice or oatmeal in the slow cooker.” Her top pick from VitaClay includes an organic clay pot, which Stephens says is “healthier than cooking with stainless steel” and “easier to clean.” The versatile appliance has an 8-cup capacity, and you can use it to make everything from beans to stew. 

Cosori Compact Air Fryer

Efficiency is key for athletes on the go, which is why Stephens likes the Cosori air fryer. One of her top-recommended meals is salmon with a vegetable, “so you can put all of that in the air fryer at the same time, and that becomes a whole meal with the rice from the slow cooker.” This beginner-friendly model has a 5-quart capacity and nearly 22,000 five-star ratings at Amazon.

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle

A good water bottle is essential — especially for pro athletes. “When they show up to practice with a plastic water bottle, it’s going to be hot in like two minutes,” Stephens said. Especially in boiling summer temperatures, “you need to have something insulated that keeps ice frozen.” While they can be bulky, Stephens emphasizes the importance of a stainless steel bottle like this wide-mouth Hydro Flask. Her pick is also our favorite stainless steel water bottle, and it’s 25% off right now.

Zulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Wand

Stephens also recommends buying a simple milk frother wand — for an unexpected purpose. The dietitian said protein powder “gets chunky and doesn’t taste great after a workout, so it’s awesome to blend it thoroughly.” A frother mixes and emulsifies shakes and other powder-based drinks in seconds, and this Amazon best-seller is just $10.