Tyler Oakley Shares Behind-the-Scenes Amazing Race Details—Like What Contestants Eat on the Road

TAR fans often have questions about how the everything on the show works, and when Oakley spoke with Men's Health about his experience on the show, he was open about how protein bars, hotel sinks, and sunscreen were the key to his success on this season.

What do the contestants on The Amazing Race eat?

Oakley explained that he tried to eat healthy on the show, but it was hard because "the last thing you want to do after youve exerted all your strength is to pick the healthy option on the menu... As soon as youre on the race and you finish [a leg], its like you finish a marathon and you dont want to go eat a salad, you want a big hearty meal. And that was like everyday I wanted a burger and pizza and whatever I could get."

Kyle and Tyler during a challenge in Japan. BusinessInsider USA Images

But the duo was also able to use to use food to give them a boost in the game:

"A lot of our legs the first time around, we were so hungry. So this time we brought protein bars, so many of them. And not only is it perfect for travel and being active, but it also became a social currency. It was something that a lot of the teams that had never run the Race before didnt realize that they should bring. So it was something that kind of gave us an upper hand, or a negotiation tactic, in the airport where there are people that are harvesting their money and they dont want to spend it on anything because you might need it for a cab, so you can offer them a protein bar and it might put you in their good graces."

How do you pack for The Amazing Race?

The Amazing Race is notorious for its " 12 episodes in 21 days " shooting schedule, but that fast pace can make it very hard to pack all that you'll need for three weeks in multiple countries.

"I can barely pack for a weekend away in Palm Springs, let alone every type of climate around the world, you never know what youre going to need," Oakley said. "They dont tell you anything! They say, 'Pack what you want, no technology. If it doesnt go along the guidelines of the rules, well take it when you check in.' But youre kind of on your own."

View this post on Instagram tonight on ep3 of The Amazing Race... do i have what it takes to become a pop star in vietnam?? if not, #TeamTylerAndKorey will be eliminated... watch 9pm on CBS!! A post shared by tyler oakley (@tyleroakley) on May 1, 2019 at 8:55am PDT

"We definitely overpacked the first time and after the very first leg our first season we threw away half of the things we brought," he said. "So packing the second time around, we knew we were definitely going to need layers and options but we didn't overpack or double anything up, because while you think you might need multiple pairs of shirts and shorts, you have a sink that you can wash things in and we definitely did that the first time around. The less you can carry the more advantage you have."

When do the contestants on Amazing Race shower?

As season 21 winners Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell previously explained to Men's Health, being on The Amazing Race means that you're probably going to have to deal with some less than ideal hygiene situations, with Oakley explaining that they showered "whenever they could."

"Its sometimes a little bit few and far in between, sometimes youre doing the classic airport shower where you sneak away for one second from your camera crew and say 'Ill be right back, Im going to go to the bathroom' and rinse wherever you can," he said.

As for skincare, Oakley said that sunscreen was key for him (and it should be for you too!).

"It was really important to bring sunscreen, I mean SPF and lotion every single day," he said. "You are facing all the elements...sometimes youre sailing and you have the wind blowing in your face, sometimes you are in the desert and you have the sun beaming down on you. It is nonstop and always different so it was really important for us to bring lotion, SPF. If you didnt have that youd be burning."