Indy Car Driver Danica Patrick’s Endurance Diet
Tiny 5′2″, 105-pound Indy car driver Danica Patrick needs to stay in top shape to challenge drivers twice her size on the race track. And during five-hour long competitions, endurance is key! So what’s Danica’s trick for staying competitive? She shares her diet and workout regimen in the June issue of Shape magazine.
Danica says that she runs for an hour every day during race season (April to September) and focuses on strengthening her shoulders, forearms and back, upper body areas essential for controlling an Indy car. In the off season, she works with a trainer but gives her body a break when she needs it.
“I skip days here and there and don’t beat myself up for it,” she says.
Her high-protein, compex carb-packed diet also keeps her energy level up.
According to Shape, Danica starts every morning with a three-egg-white omelet and a bowl of homemade oatmeal with cinnamon, flax meal, brown sugar and a scoop of peanut butter on the side.
For lunch she prefers open-face turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, mustard, and sometimes a slice of cheese.
“I get hungry every three hours, so I also like to munch on an apple or whole-wheat toast with peanut butter…I worry about the scale like anyone else, but I have to make it through five-hour races. It’s a constant battle for me,” says Danica.
Reading about Danica’s athletic diet and exercise regimen reminds me that driving is a serious workout, one that requires the best fuel possible for the body and the car!
Jolene Hart is a freelance writer and natural beauty expert with a passion for mind, body and planet - just like Healthy Hollywood!
A former beauty writer for InStyle magazine, Self magazine, and People magazine, she has covered every aspect of the beauty industry from product breakthroughs to red carpet beauty to backstage trends at fashion week. Find more of her work at 
