Journalist Tries Erling Haaland's High-Calorie 'Viking Diet' for a Day

Manchester City star Erling Haaland is known for his incredible goal-scoring prowess and imposing physique, fueled by a reported daily intake of around 6,000 calories during intense training. A journalist decided to experience this "Viking diet" firsthand for a day to understand the demands placed on elite athletes.

The day began with a substantial breakfast: four scrambled eggs, two slices of sourdough toast, a large bowl of Greek yogurt with berries, black coffee with maple syrup, and a bottle of raw milk. By lunchtime, the journalist was already feeling the strain.

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The Haaland sandwich at Ad Maiora.

Next was a visit to Haaland's favorite Italian deli, Ad Maiora, which even has a sandwich named after the footballer. The "Haaland" sandwich, a foot-long flatbread filled with Parma ham, burrata, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and truffle oil, proved to be another significant challenge.

Dinner presented the biggest hurdle: a massive steak. At The Cheshire Smokehouse, the journalist learned that Haaland often opts for lean venison but decided to go for a giant steak at the Hawksmoor steakhouse. The meal started with bone marrow, followed by a 2.6-pound porterhouse steak, cooked medium-rare. Despite a valiant effort, the journalist ultimately had to admit defeat, acknowledging the difficulty of keeping up with a professional athlete's caloric needs.

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Eating like one of the world's best soccer players is a lot harder than it looks.