Singapore’s competitive eater shares health scare from food challenge that caused organ compression
SINGAPORE’s prominent competitive eater Zermatt Neo has disclosed the serious health consequences he faced after a burger eating challenge left him hospitalised for three days and battling pancreatitis for two weeks.
The revelation came during an extensive Ask Me Anything session on Reddit’s r/SingaporeEats forum, where Neo candidly discussed the physical toll and behind-the-scenes realities of professional competitive eating.
Neo’s journey into competitive eating began unexpectedly through a challenge from a gym acquaintance. After winning his first competition, what started as a one-off dare evolved into a full-fledged content creation career.
His competitive eating resume includes remarkable accomplishments such as demolishing nearly eight kilograms of fried rice within 30 minutes and consuming over 20 bowls of beef noodles in just 15 minutes.
Drawing on his previous experience as a personal trainer and dietitian, Neo approaches these extreme challenges with structured planning and body awareness developed through his health and fitness background.
When questioned about his preparation methods, Neo revealed he follows a complete 24-hour fast before every eating challenge to ensure his digestive system is completely empty.
He clarified that this fasting approach isn’t about metabolic manipulation but rather serves as a mental reset from food. Neo attributes his lean physique to the substantial calorie deficit he maintains between filming sessions combined with extensive daily cardiovascular exercise.
During competitions, he strategically uses warm water to facilitate food consumption while diet soda helps combat taste fatigue when eating large quantities of the same food.
The most alarming disclosure came when Neo described the burger challenge that resulted in his hospitalisation. Following the competition, his stomach expanded so severely that it compressed his surrounding organs, requiring a three-day hospital stay.
The complications didn’t end there—Neo subsequently dealt with pancreatitis that lasted a fortnight, highlighting the potential dangers of extreme eating competitions.
He explained that protein-dense processed foods like burgers and steaks present the greatest difficulty for him, whereas carbohydrate-based items such as rice and noodles prove more manageable. One particularly challenging burger competition in Japan featured patties so dehydrated that Neo compared them to eating jerky.
To counterbalance the extreme caloric intake from challenges, Neo maintains a rigorous cardiovascular routine that burns between 600 and 1,200 calories daily, primarily through accumulated steps.
His weekly running total reaches 60 to 70 kilometres, complemented by rope jumping, elliptical training and weight lifting. He singles out skipping as exceptionally efficient, capable of burning 750 to 900 calories per hour.
Neo’s strength training follows a Push Pull Legs Rest cycle, paired with cardio sessions lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
When Redditors inevitably asked about post-challenge bathroom experiences, Neo responded frankly. While his typical digestive routine remains relatively normal, he may visit the restroom three to four times the day following a major eating challenge.
When pressed about whether he’s ever clogged a toilet, Neo admitted it has occurred more than eight times.
With holiday season buffets approaching, Neo shared advice for those hoping to maximise value at all-you-can-eat establishments, though he cautioned that most diners won’t truly come out ahead financially.
His suggestions included increasing fluid intake the day before to slightly expand stomach capacity and promote appetite. When selecting food, he recommends prioritising protein while avoiding low-value items like salads that create fullness without providing substantial nutrition.
“I doubt you can beat the buffet, but if you strategise properly, I think you can break even,” Neo advised.
Despite the health risks and demanding training requirements, Neo emphasised his genuine passion for food, particularly local Singaporean cuisine.
When it comes to fast food preferences, McDonald’s remains his top choice.
