What does a double silver Olympic swimming champion lunch on? Boring boiled chicken and steamed broccoli? Grim shakes? Jazz Carlin, who won silver in the 400m and 800m freestyle at the 2016 Rio chows down on fruit-laden, protein-packed salads to boost her energy and antioxidant intake.

Since retiring, she says that the amount she eats may have reduced but she still eats the same kinds of foods: “I’ve always had a very nutritious diet and I do enjoy eating healthily as that’s when I feel at my best.”

As for putting apples in a salad, Carlin is something of an apple fiend. There’s good reason for any athlete (professional or amateur) to chow down on a Jazz apple; apples are so good for you. One medium apple contains 25g of energy-giving carbs, 4g of fibre, 14% of your RDA of vitamin C and a good dose of vitamin K and potassium. Apples have been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease (thanks to the soluble fibre content) and blood pressure-lowering polyphenols. They may also have prebiotic effects that keep good gut bacteria happy, as well helping to protect brain health. So, get adding apples to your salads ASAP!

Try this Olympic swimmer's protein-packed salad recipe to meet your 5-a-day