For many, competitive eating is just another form of viral entertainment. For the people doing it, the consequences can be far more serious.
Singapore-based competitive eater Zermatt Neo recently revealed during a candid Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit that one food challenge once left him hospitalised for days, offering a rare look into the health risks behind extreme eating feats.
The AMA, held on r/SingaporeEats, quickly drew attention from curious locals who wanted to know how competitive eating actually works behind the scenes.
From training routines and fasting strategies to digestion and recovery, Neo answered with little filter.
A dare that turned into a career
Neo shared that his entry into competitive eating began almost by accident.
A dare from someone he met at the gym pushed him into his first eating competition, which he unexpectedly won. That single challenge eventually snowballed into a full-time career as a content creator and competitive eater.
Since then, he has completed extreme feats that few would even attempt, including finishing nearly eight kilograms of fried rice in 30 minutes and consuming more than 20 bowls of beef noodles in just 15 minutes.
Before stepping fully into competitive eating, Neo worked as a personal trainer and dietitian. He credits that background for helping him understand his body better and approach challenges in a more structured way.
Fasting before every challenge
When asked how he prepares for food challenges, Neo explained that he fasts for a full 24 hours beforehand to “keep the system empty”.
However, he stressed that fasting is not some secret metabolic trick.
“It sort of keeps my mind away from food. It’s just an eating pattern, nothing magical about it,” he said.
According to him, staying lean comes from the huge calorie deficit between shoots and the sheer amount of cardio he does daily.
During challenges, he prefers warm water to help food go down, while diet soda helps manage taste fatigue.
The burger challenge that went too far
The most sobering part of the AMA came when Neo spoke about a burger challenge that landed him in hospital.
After completing the challenge, his stomach became so distended that it placed pressure on surrounding organs. He was warded for three days and later dealt with pancreatitis for two weeks.
Neo explained that protein-heavy, processed foods such as burgers and steak are the hardest challenges for him, while he performs better with foods like rice and noodles.
One burger challenge in Japan stood out as particularly miserable, with patties so dry that he said they “tasted like jerky”.
Cardio to offset extreme eating
To manage his weight and health, Neo relies heavily on cardio. He shared that he burns between 600 and 1,200 calories a day through cardio alone, mostly by clocking steps.
On top of that, he runs about 60 to 70 kilometres each week, supplemented with skipping, elliptical workouts and weight training. Skipping is one of his most effective tools.
“Skipping works very well to burn calories in a short period of time. I can burn anywhere from 750 to 900 calories in an hour,” he said.
His gym routine follows a Push Pull Legs Rest repeat structure, paired with cardio sessions ranging from 30 minutes to two hours.
Yes, he addressed the toilet question
Unsurprisingly, many Redditors were curious about what happens after a food challenge.
Neo said his bathroom routine is generally “pretty average”, though he may go three to four times the day after a challenge. When asked if he had ever clogged a toilet, his reply was straightforward.
More than once. Possibly more than eight times.
Honest advice on buffets
With festive buffets coming up, Neo was also asked for tips on maximising value at all-you-can-eat spreads.
He cautioned that most people are unlikely to truly beat a buffet but shared some practical advice. One tip was to drink more fluids the day before.
“It stretches your stomach a little and makes you more hungry,” he explained.
When it comes to food choices, his advice was simple: focus on protein and avoid items like salads that fill you up quickly without offering much value.
“I doubt you can beat the buffet, but if you strategise properly, I think you can break even.”
Still a foodie at heart
Despite the risks and extreme routines, Neo made it clear that he genuinely loves food, especially local dishes.
And when it comes to fast food, his favourite remains a familiar name.
McDonald’s still tops his list.
