Ilona Maher’s approach to food is refreshingly simple. She doesn’t cut carbs, skip treats or chase perfection. Instead, she looks for the joy in food and uses it as fuel to support her active body.
Those two ideas shape her eating style, from how she starts her morning to how she fuels for training.
Find the Joy in What You Eat
Maher says one small thing she does every day is try to find small moments of joy, and one of those is during her morning coffee routine.
“I was talking to my dietitian about how I really get a lot of joy from having coffee with milk and maple syrup in it,” she says. “I was like, ‘Should I change it? Should I just go for the black coffee?’ And she’s like, ‘No, that brings you a lot of joy.’”
It’s a small choice, but it reflects a bigger mindset. Instead of swapping something she loves for the sake of being “healthier,” Maher leans into the happiness the food brings her. “Food gives me a lot of comfort and joy,” she says, adding that she enjoys trying new foods rather than eating the same meals on repeat.
That perspective carries over into how she fuels as an athlete. Maher is intentional about eating enough to support her training, especially when it comes to protein, a nutrient she admits she’s had to be more mindful about.
After workouts, she prioritizes quick, easy options she can have right away, like Muscle Milk (she’s a spokesperson for the brand). Beyond that, she gravitates toward staples like eggs, chicken and meat, along with snacks like cottage cheese and Greek yogurt.
Food Is Fuel — and Comfort
Carbs, too, have a clear place on her performance plate. Maher laughs when asked about her favorite pre-workout carb, admitting she has plenty, but one stands out. “I think I’m just a bread person,” she says. “Sourdough bread and butter. My parents make a really good loaf of bread — I love it.”
Maher’s eating habits don’t follow a strict set of rules or trends. There’s no obsession with eliminating foods or optimizing every bite. Instead, there’s a balance between structure and flexibility, intention and enjoyment. “I’m also real. I will enjoy a glass of wine. I need a treat at night.”
It’s a reminder that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean giving up the foods you love or the rituals that make your day better. For Maher, it’s about fueling well, yes, but also about making sure food still feels like something to look forward to.
