Joey Chestnut: 'My Body Was Built To Eat 68 Hot Dogs'

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut has eaten 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes and as a result, has been the reigning champion of Nathan's July 4th hot dog eating contest since 2007. Chestnut has also eaten 42 bratwursts in 10 minutes, 47 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes, a 72-ounce steak in eight minutes and 52 seconds and 78 matzoh balls in one sitting. So, how does Chestnut train for these epic gutbusters? Vanity Fair writer John Heilpern spoke to Chestnut and learned that in order to eat a lot, Chestnut actually needs to practice not eating a lot:

His training regime for the Nathan’s hot-dog contest is a strict one of fasting, running, consuming protein supplements, drinking gallons of water to push his body to the limit, and performing full-scale eating workouts during which he simulates the actual tournament.

Chesnut assured Heilpern that his medical checkups are always excellent. "I think my body was built to eat 68 hot dogs," he said, "It’s natural.” This July 4th, Chestnut hopes to beat his own record and aim for 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Watch Joey Chestnut's 2010 victory below.

Comments

[Bor Zoi]

03:07 PM on 07/04/2011

On behalf of all Russian Wolfhounds, I confer upon Joey Chestnut, 5-time winner of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, the honorary title of "Borzoi".

We have canonized priests for less.

[PatricktPDX]

02:22 PM on 06/17/2011

No more.....No less

[ontariogirl]

09:03 AM on 06/16/2011

Doesn't say much about his brain.

[Bor Zoi]

03:11 PM on 07/04/2011

Chestnut's a civil engineer who operates as a project manager for a major construction company in the Bay Area.

He's not a dumb guy.

[lovelybunchofcoconuts]

08:49 AM on 06/16/2011

Sounds to me like the basis for a trendy new diet. I'm on board.

[mikeg0477]

11:50 PM on 06/15/2011

I don't believe in sins, but gluttony is just bad.

[Finnegans Wake]

04:54 PM on 06/15/2011

I'm less amazed by him eating all these ridiculous amounts of hot dogs and brats and cheese sandwiches, and more amazed that he can **** them out. He must be howling on the john.

[colonelsun68]

12:15 AM on 06/16/2011

Thank God for Metamucil!

[bmwracer]

02:46 PM on 06/17/2011

LOL, he probably could compete in the bathroom-related contests as well.

[karots]

04:41 PM on 06/15/2011

Whatever this is... it ain't "Natural"

[bmwracer]

03:55 PM on 06/15/2011

"My Body Was Built To Eat 68 Hot Dogs"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember that while your chest is cracked open for a quadruple bypass.

[InYourWorld]

10:14 PM on 06/15/2011

the fact that he regularly runs means that even with 68 hot dogs he is probably healthier than most. Sad state of affairs

[bmwracer]

02:44 PM on 06/17/2011

Possibly.

But subjecting your body to that kind of binging can't be good in the long run I think.