Joey Chestnut gives behind-the-scenes look at hungry prep for Nathans return

Competitive eater Joey Chesnut eats up the chance for some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby ahead of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday, which Chesnut has won 16 times.Q: What is so great about a Nathan’s hot dog?A: Oh my gosh, it’s a 100-year-old recipe — more than that now — it’s good from the start.There’s no reason to change something that isn’t broken.

It really is a unique taste, an all-beef hot dog, natural tasting … it’s simple, but it’s delicious.Q: How would you describe your mentality on game day?A: I’m hungry.That’s all it is.

I’m staying hungry no matter what.I’m expecting to eat uncomfortable and bloated and I’m ignoring whatever feelings it takes to get there.Q: Right before the first at bite, what is going through your gut?A: I think the hardest part of the contest is the first one.

Stay calm, don’t try to swallow the hot dogs whole.My first instinct is to try to swallow whole, which is not a good thing, your muscles are not stretched out yet, I don’t want to cough, right? Stay calm, take a normal bite and work into the rhythm, which is hard.

Sometimes I over-attack the food, my muscles aren’t ready to work for me right away.Stay calm, and don’t shove too much in at once.Q: Who is your biggest threat?A: My biggest threat is myself if I get in my own head, if I let something bother me, that’s when I can make mistakes.

… There’s a guy from Montreal [James Webb], I think he is amazing, he’s young, he’s fit.This guy likes to work out so he’s gonna be pushing himself really hard.

If I let myself mess up, he’s the only one that could really catch me.Q: Do you feel any pressure?A: I wouldn’t say pressure, it’s more of support.Every once in a while you get a little bit of pressure from people who are betting.

Like, “Oh, you need to get this Over.” I’m like, “Oh my god, the Over’s really high this year (laugh).”Q: What is the Over?A: I think some people are putting ...