Adlington owes Commonwealth gold to pasta and pizza

World record-holder Rebecca Adlington credited pasta and pizza for her return to form with a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games women's 800 metres freestyle on Thursday.

It was the Briton's first major victory in the discipline since she won the Olympic title in Beijing two years ago.

"I just decided to keep it nice and smooth. It was not about time at all, it was about racing," the beaming 21-year-old told reporters.

"It's a long season, so nice to finish off with a gold medal," said Adlington whose only other major achievement of the year was the 400 metres gold she won in the European Championships.

Adlington also won bronze medals in 200 metres freestyle event and the 4x200 metres freestyle relay.

Adlington said she had been careful about her choice of food in Delhi to try to avoid the stomach problems which have affected some of her team mates.

"I have had pasta and a bit of pizza. The chicken, that is the only thing not to eat in the village but everything else, if you have Delhi Belly you have Delhi Belly no matter what you eat..." she said.

"Obviously some people have come down really, really bad but I have not had blemishes, thank God...no food poisoning or anything like that. It has been absolutely fine for me," she said.

Adlington cruised to victory ahead of South African Wendy Trott but her time was around 10 seconds outside her world record.