Meal Prep 101 for Busy Athletes

One of the biggest roadblocks athletes report in their journey towards healthier eating is simply not having enough time in the day to cook or prepare meals and snacks.

Many busy athletes and their families have tight schedules, where they might be eating meals at strange hours, on the road and in the bleachers, and sometimes get so busy that they resort to stopping for fast food or relying on convenience bars and shakes for too many meals.

Fast food and convenience snacks are fine once in a while, but what if we all had a strategy for making sure we had healthy snacks and meals prepared ahead of time? What if we could throw together said snacks and meals during the week in a matter of MINUTES? I'm sure all busy families and athletes would be on board.

This is where a food preparation (or meal prep) plan comes in! 

By spending some time ONE day of the week washing, cutting, baking, cooking, and portioning food into containers, athletes and their families will not have healthy food to eat during the busiest timesof the week - they'll also save time by not having to cook so much, and save money by not eating out or buying pre-packaged snacks.

There are many of resources online for "How to Food Prep" - Lindsay from the Lean Green Bean blog writes about food prep every week and is a great source for easy-to-make, healthy recipes.

Having a plan is the hardest part of meal prep. The first time you meal prep, it's important to start out small and let your meal prep game plan change each week in a way that fits your schedule. 

1. Decide which day works best for you! Many people choose to make all their food on one day (like Sunday, before the week starts!), while others might choose two days (maybe by preparing half on Sunday, and a new batch of foods on Wednesday).

It usually takes at least one hour (usually more if you do it all on one day), to prepare your meals, so keep that in mind. 

2. Make sure you have plenty of storage containers. Storage containers with lids are essential for easy storage and transportation of meals.

3. Choose which meals you want to prep. Some people just want to prepare lunches for the week to bring to school or work, while others make breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and a random assortment of throw-together foods. One easy way to start preparing EXTRA food at dinner meals to bring for lunch the next day or the next several days. Many people also start out by preparing some "basics" that you can make throw-together meals throughout the week. Some good examples include:

• Washed and cut fruits and vegetables - You're much more likely to eat these healthy foods if they're all washed and ready-to-eat. Some suggestions are: grapes, salad greens, carrots, diced vegetables for salads/omelets/stir fry.
• Roasted vegetables - These can be easily thrown onto a salad or sandwich for more flavor! Toss some sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, broccoli, or any other vegetables in olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasonings you like and roast them in the oven until tender. 
• Cooked grains - You can prepare whole grains, such as rice and quinoa ahead of time to throw into salads or for easy grain bowls.

Check out some easy whole grain bowl recipes!

• Protein options - Having some protein options ready can be a huge life-saver for athletes. Keep it simple by making chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs or scrambled egg muffins, lean ground beef, bacon, or have some lunch meat on hand. 

• Breakfast foods - If you're typically a breakfast-skipper, preparing some easy breakfast options can be a huge time saver.

4. Make a list and go shopping - This may be the most dreaded part of meal prep for people who don't go into the grocery store weekly (or more than once per week!), but this part becomes easier each week as you figure out what works for your schedule, and which basics you KNOW you need to get you through the week.

Make a list of ingredients you would need for specific recipes you want to make, and a list of "basics" you want to have at hand (grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy, etc.)

If you're a beginner, don't be overwhelmed! It will get easier, and you can take satisfaction in knowing you will have healthy options to eat throughout the week. Good nutrition can have an immediate impact on sports performance - if you eat well and fuel your body with healthy foods, you will feel better and perform better, so start today!

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How Much Protein You REALLY Need

How much protein should I be eating every day?

This is a common question from athletes and really, protein is a huge topic in magazines, websites and newspapers. Protein has been attributed to promoting muscle growth and recovery, maintaining lean muscle mass during weight loss, reducing body fat gain in teens, and helping with blood sugar control.

With all these benefits, wouldn't it seem that more protein is better? 

Not necessarily...eating more protein won't magically make your muscles grow and you don't store the extra protein as amino acids to use later and you don't just "pee out" the extra protein you eat. Although many athletes like to focus on protein-rich foods and protein shakes/supplements, it's important to focus on building a balanced performance plate, where carbohydrates (think complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, fruit, starches) are making up the majority of your calories to fuel your muscles and protein is only ~25% of your plate. Because everyone's calorie needs are DIFFERENT, this "perfect amount" of protein is going to be different for everyone. A large male is going to need a lot more calories and a proportional increase in his protein needs compared with a lighter female.

Losing weight

You might have heard that a high protein diet helps you lose weight, but this may be because protein foods can help you feel less hungry if you're cutting calories in order to lose weight and because when you cut calories, you risk losing muscle in addition to body fat. Eating a slightly higher protein diet (~30% protein) can help you spare protein during weight loss.

Building muscle

When it comes to building muscle, you need to focus on several different components, not just protein intake.

Your strength training routine is important for muscle growth. A progressively difficult strength training routine allows your muscles to adapt to the new stressors you're putting them under by growing bigger and stronger.

You need to make sure you're meeting your weight maintenance calorie needs, plus extra calories to build muscle. 

You can estimate your maintenance calorie needs using different equations OR if you're serious about your training goals, you can get your resting energy expenditure tested. Knowing your  individual restring energy expenditure can help you individualize your performance diet by knowing exactly how many calories you SHOULD be eating during the day to support your performance.

Getting your resting energy expenditure tested is a quick and easy tool you can use to help you meet your goals.
Call the Sanford Sports Science Institute at (605) 312-7870 to make an appointment today!

 Many athletes aren't meeting their basic calorie needs to support performance or maintain weight, but may be drinking protein shakes, hoping they'll gain muscle, but that's just not how it works. You have to combine exercise and a balanced diet for muscle growth to occur. 

Protein needs based on your goals

Protein needs are slightly higher for people involved in exercise, for repairing the muscle damage from training and to build to muscle, and because in general, people who exercise have higher overall calorie needs. The recommended amount of protein for most adults (sedentary/currently not in training) is 0.8 g/kg (0.4 g/lb) body weight per day. 

This being said, most people can meet their protein needs through a real food diet and don't need extra protein or amino acid supplements. There hasn't been much research to support the claims made by supplement companies that they help you build muscle or "get lean" any better than real foods with protein.

Individual/Type of Athlete	Grams of protein per kg or lb. per day
Recreational exerciser, adult	1.1 - 1.6 g/kg (0.5-0.7 g/lb)
Endurance	1.3-1.6 g/kg (0.6-0.7 g/lb)
Strength (build muscle mass)	1.6-1.8 g/kg (0.7-0.8 g/lb)
Athlete restricting calories (weight loss)	1.8-2.0 g/kg (0.8-0.9 g/lb) *When you're cutting calories, you will lose fat, but you can also lose muscle, so protein intake is important to spare muscle protein. **The Profile weight loss plan is a personalized high protein plan that has helped many people lose weight and keep it off!

*Source: Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook 

A 130 lb. marathon running female would need between 78 and 91 grams of protein every day:

130 x 0.6 = 78 grams of protein/day

130 x 0.7 = 91 grams of protein/day

This breaks down to only about 26 grams of protein per meal, if she eats 3 meals a day (really, most people are eating pre- and/or post-workout snacks). Think about eating some protein at each meal and snack (beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, fish, meat, hummus, and milk).

Example of protein in meals:

Meal	Food	Grams of protein per meal
Breakfast	2 whole eggs, scrambled 1 handful of spinach ¼ cup part-skim mozzarella 1 banana	23 g
Snack	¼ cup almonds 1 apple	7 g
Lunch	4 cups of mixed greens Chopped bell peppers 1/2 cup black beans ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette	17 g
Snack	1 cup Greek yogurt 1 Tbsp honey ½ cup blueberries	22 g
Dinner	1 cup brown rice, cooked 4 oz. grilled chicken breast 1 cup steamed broccoli	40 g

Focus on balance

You can prevent muscle breakdown and maximize strength gains by optimizing your nutrition plan throughout the entire day. Instead of focusing on "protein, protein, protein," you should be providing your body with the "building blocks" it needs for muscle growth by eating a balanced meal or snack with protein and carbohydrates every 3-4 hours.You may have heard of the "window of opportunity" - eating a protein/carbohydrate-rich snack 30-60 minutes after your workout can aid in recovery and promote muscle repair.

If you're struggling in your workouts, check your carbohydrate intake - if you're cutting too many calories and carbohydrates out of your diet, your performance could suffer because you're not fueling your muscles with the carbohydrates needed to work hard.

The Forgotten R - REST

Don't forget how important REST can be in your performance plan. Without rest days, you aren't giving your body enough time to repair from your last workout. By fueling your body correctly and taking time to rest, your body will be able to recover properly and you will ultimately be able to meet your goals.

As with everything in life, meeting your goals takes time. Stray away from programs that promise quick results - you have to put in the work and the time to meet your performance goals.

You can make an appointment to get your resting energy expenditure tested or to speak with the sports nutritionist at the Sanford Sports Science Institute by calling (605) 312-7870. 

Related links:

Today's Dietitian || Athletes and Protein Intake

MyFitnessPal || Nutrition 101 - Protein

Science Daily || Protein-packed breakfast prevents body fat gain in overweight teens

Eat Right || Protein and the Athlete: How Much Do You Need?

Greatist || 31 Healthy and Portable High-Protein Snacks

Stack || The High Protein Food You're Not Eating Enough Of

Profile by Sanford || Grocery Store Picks

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Easy Slow Cooking this Winter

Imagine a world where you put 5-6 ingredients in a pot and poof, without you doing anything, a whole meal is ready for you. Sounds to good to be true doesn't it?! However, I am glad to announce that this is the world we live in. It just all depends on the tools at your disposal. I would like to introduce you to the slow cooker. One of the best investments you will ever make. It can be found as cheap as $15.

       

It is literally as easy as cutting a bunch of ingredients up, adding spices and letting it sit for a couple of hours. You can make anything, whether its an appetizer, side dish, dip, entree, dessert or even a special drink. Slow cookers or as some refer to as Crock Pots (Crock Pot is actually the name of one of the brands that make slow cookers) require just a socket as they are electrical. Most people put something in the slow cooker before they leave home and by the time they get back, dinner is ready!
Here are some great website with multiple easy recipes:

• Cooking Light - 105 Healthy recipes to make with a slow cooker. One of the more surprising recipes on there is the pesto lasagna with spinach and mushrooms. Yes, it's possible to make lasagna with a slow cooker 

                                   

• Eating Well - The magazine Eating Well has some great healthy recipes. In addition, you can even download a free slow cooker cookbook. If there are several people in the household, these recipes include a great overnight oatmeal breakfast recipe
                                
• Fitness Magazine - 7 healthy recipes that are easy and simple to make. On a cold winter day, there is nothing like a hearty soup. That's why I like this easy beef and vegetable soup recipe
                               
• My roommate used to make chili that everyone loved yet it took him just 5 minutes to make:
  Approx 0.5 lb of lean ground beef or turkey
  1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
  1 can white beans (rinsed and drained)
  1 medium size can tomato sauce
  1 can Rotel (mild, medium or hot based on preference)
  1 Packet of McCormick chili mix seasoning
  - Mix all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve hot with shredded cheese on top

The slow cooker just makes it so effortlessly easy! If you don't have one and you want one, consider just putting it on your Christmas wish list or just go and buy one for yourself. You're worth it!   

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Microwave Meals for The College Athlete

For the college athlete sometimes cooking may be a burden. Moreover, lack of time or resources, such as living in a dorm, may create a challenging situation when it comes to fueling right. These challenges may cause athletes to skip meals or eat out (mainly fast food) often. However, in order to eat to compete optimally a solid diet is crucial. Whether you live in a dorm or off campus you most probably have a microwave, fridge and if your lucky a toaster oven.

                 

 Therefore, here are some quick and easy recipes and ideas to help you fuel right quickly with minimum resources.

Breakfast #1 - Quick Oatmeal
0.5 cup oatmeal
1 cup water or 1 cup 1% milk
1 Tbsp honey
0.5 cup raspberries (or any fruit)
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 oz pumpkin seeds

Heat oatmeal and water in microwave for 2 minutes (or until you like the consistency). Add all other ingredients and enjoy. Here are some other oatmeal combinations.

Breakfast #2 - Scrambled Eggs 
1-2 eggs (or egg substitute)
2 Tbsp shredded cheese
1 Tbsp cilantro or parsley
Pinch salt and pepper

Whip eggs in a microwave safe bowel or mug. Add cheese and herbs. Microwave for 1.5-2 minutes. Season and enjoy. You can also make it a breakfast burrito by putting it in a tortilla.

Breakfast #3 - Granola with yogurt and fruit
0.5 cup granola
6 oz low fat yogurt vanilla or plain
0.5 cup strawberries
0.5 cup blueberries

No need for a microwave here! Mix all ingredients together and enjoy

Lunch/Dinner #1 - Sweet Potato, Green Beans and Salmon
1 Salmon filet
1.5 tsp olive oil
0.5 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried chives
2 slices lemon
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of pepper

Put salmon in a microwave safe plate (skin face down). Spread oil on fish. Season with all herbs and spices. Top with lemon. Heat for 3-4 minutes or until ready (every microwave will be different).
+ Wash sweet potato and put in microwave for 5 minutes or until soft.
+ Heat green beans in microwave for 3-4 minutes or until ready.
Enjoy this great colorful meal!

Lunch/Dinner #2 - Chicken Parmesan
Here is a great recipe for microwave Chicken Parmesan
Just add some vegetable mix and you are good to go!

Lunch/Dinner #3 - Vegetarian Chili 
Since I found a great recipe online, I decided to share

Lunch/Dinner #4 - Chicken Salad
1 chicken breast cut to small cubes
1 tsp olive oil
0.5 tsp paprika
0.5 tsp cumin
2 cups spinach
1 medium tomato diced
0.5 cup carrots diced
0.5 red pepper diced
1 small cucumber cut into rounds
1 cup croutons
1 oz shaved almonds
Season per liking

In a microwave safe bowel mix chicken, olive oil, paprika and cumin. Add salt and pepper if you desire. Heat in microwave for 3.5-5 minutes or until chicken is ready. Set chicken aside to cool down. In the mean time mix all other salad ingredients in a bowel stir and add dressing to your liking (in moderation). Add chicken to mixed salad. You can also use canned chicken which will be even quicker.

For more creative and cool ideas for microwave meals feel free to check this out. Potatoes, vegetables and couscous are also very easy to make in the microwave and do not require any recipe.

Cooking should not be a burden because it can be fast and easy. No excuses! Whether you are at the dorm or off campus you should be able to make these recipes. Go eat to compete!

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The Importance of Breakfast

We have all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You have probably heard it from your coach, parents, teachers, nurses, doctors and other family members. But have they ever told you why? Although every meal is important, let me tell you why breakfast is:

• Breakfast means break the fast (fast during sleep). Breakfast kick starts our body's metabolism. More so if we eat good nutrients to start the day. It's like starting a car that has a full tank of gas versus just half a tank.
• Studies show that students that eat breakfast are able to concentrate better and perform better academically. 
• Athletes that need to consume a large amount of calories will have a hard time reaching their calorie goals if they skip breakfast. This in turn will hurt performance and could cause undesired weight loss.
• Breakfast has been shown to help people maintain body weight.
• Skipping breakfast may cause overeating later on, which in turn can cause weight gain.
• If you skip breakfast, by the time lunch arrives you are so hungry you eat everything in sight. Research shows that most probably you will reach for the calorie dense, nutrient poor foods such as: fast food and concentrated sweets.
• Skipping breakfast will probably prevent most people from meeting the daily requirement for the different vitamins and minerals that help us heal and recover post exercise.
•  People that eat breakfast tend to be more alert throughout the day without having a mid-morning crash.
            

Now that you know why it's so important here are some tips for how to build a good breakfast:

• Try to have at least 3 food groups, for example: fruits, grains, dairy or protein, grains, vegetables.
• Focus on whole grains such as oats and whole wheat bread/cereal.
• Always have a fruit or a vegetable.
• Try to get 15-30 grams protein. Having a good amount of protein for breakfast helps you feel fuller for longer and prevent over eating as well as help sustain energy.   
• Drink at least 16-20 oz of fluids, preferably water. Fluids can also be milk, tea, coffee and juice.
• Prefer eating fruit/vegetables versus juicing as that way you can get the fiber and some nutrients that are lost with juicing.
• Not all breakfasts can be a sit down breakfast. Nonetheless, grab something for the road such as: apple and cheese stick, granola bar and a cup of milk, smoothie, oats on the go, etc.

Here are some ideas for a healthy breakfast:

• Whole wheat cereal (Kashi is a great choice) with 1% milk and strawberries
• Oatmeal with pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and blueberries
• Scrambled eggs with whole wheat bread and watermelon
• Smoothie made with: Greek yogurt, strawberries, pineapple, spinach, kiwi, chia seeds and kale
• Toast with peanut butter and jelly and a cup of milk
• Sandwich with cheese and avocado and 100% orange juice
• Yogurt with granola and fruit
• Leftovers from dinner :)
• Spinach and feta cheese omelet with toast
• Muffin with egg, ham, cheese  and spinach and a cup of 100% orange juice
• Be creative and make sure your plate is colorful! 

Make no excuses and start the day right with a good breakfast! 

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Celebrate Blueberries This Month

                                  

I would like to dedicate this blog to one of my favorite fruits, blueberries. It really pleases me that it gets a whole celebratory month. I hope you have partaken in eating everything blueberry, if you have not, let me tell you why you should:
Besides being very tasty, blueberries are low in calories, have no fat, are high in fiber and are full of antioxidants (antioxidants help us fight free radicals that are formed in the body and could damage different cells as well as DNA). Blueberries contain polyphenols called anthocyanins which give the fruit its blue color as well as its antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain a good amount of vitamin C and manganese. Vitamin C helps with keeping a healthy immune system and manganese helps with bone development and converting macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates and protein) to energy. Blueberries may also help with reducing risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

In North America, blueberry season is from April to late September. Season peaks in July (hence July is blueberry month). Thankfully, our neighbors in South America have opposite seasons and therefore, we can get this amazing fruit year round. Moreover, we can get frozen blueberries year round. If you ever wanted to go pick blueberries yourself, make sure you check this link of where.
For more information and plenty of recipes you can check the Blueberry Council webpage.

Here is recipe for a high protein blueberry smoothie (makes 2 servings): 

1 cup 0% Greek yogurt
0.5 cup ice
0.5 cup 100% pineapple juice
1 cup blueberries fresh or forzen
1 Tbsp of chia seeds
Blend all ingredients together and enjoy

Nutrition facts per serving: 175 kcal, 14 grams protein, 26 grams carbohydrates, 4.4 grams fiber, 2.5 grams fat, 189 mg calcium and 13 mg vitamin C.

Enjoy this month to it's fullest and don't forget to add some blueberries!

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Nutrition Comparison: Milk and The Alternatives

Whether you believe people should or should not drink milk or whether you are allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance, here are some alternatives with nutritional information as well as what these options have to offer:

Milk
• The best source and absorption of Calcium and Vitamin D (out of all options noted below)
• Contains a good amount of protein (8 grams/8 oz)
• Contains about 12 grams of sugar, however, it is from a natural source called lactose
• Contains a good amount of phosphorus, magnesium, riboflavin and B12

Soy Milk
• Second best to milk. Typically fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D
• Contains a very similar content of protein (7 grams/8 oz)
• Sugar content is typically added
• Contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that have been shown to decrease heart disease, lower cholesterol and decrease certain types of cancers

Almond milk
• Can be a good alternative to milk if you are looking to cut the calorie content
• Hardly contains any protein (1 gram/8 oz)
• Sugar content is typically added
• Rich with Vitamin E, A and B12

Rice, oat or hazelnut milk
• Not the best milk alternative
• Hardly contains any protein (1 gram/8 oz)
• Typically contains a high amount of added sugars
• Compared to the other milk alternatives it’s nutritionally poor
• Fortified with Vitamin A, D and B12

Coconut milk
• Contains as much fat as whole milk (in most products)
• Contains hardly any protein (<1 calcium="" gram="" or="" oz="" p="">• Not much added sugars
• Typically fortified with Vitamin D and B12

Hemp milk
• A good alternative for people with allergies
• Protein content is closer to half that of milk (3 grams/8 oz)
• May contain a minimal or a high amount of added sugar
• Contains a good amount of omega 3
• Rich with B12, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Riboflavin and
fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D

What to choose? Choose higher protein content, no (or low) added sugars (stick to original or unsweetened) and fortified with vitamins and minerals (at least 30% Calcium and 25% Vitamin D of daily value, per 8-oz serving)

Type of Milk (1 cup)	Calories	Fat	Sat. Fat	Chol.	Protein	Carbs	Sugars
Whole cow's milk	150	8 g	5 g	35 mg	8 g	12 g	12 g
2% cow's milk	130	5 g	3 g	20 mg	8 g	13 g	12 g
1% cow's milk	110	2.5 g	1.5 g	15 mg	8 g	13 g	12 g
Skim cow's milk	90	0 g	0 g	<5 mg	8g	13 g	12 g
Soy, unsweetened	80-90	4-4.5 g	0.5 g	0 mg	7-9 g	4-5 g	1-2 g
Soy, plain/original	70-130	2-4 g	0-0.5 g	0 mg	5-8 g	8-16 g	6-9 g
Almond, unsweetened	30-50	2.5 g	0 g	0 mg	1 g	1-5 g	0-1 g
Almond, original	50-60	2.5 g	0 g	0 mg	1 g	6-8 g	5-6 g
Hemp, unsweetened	70	6 g	0.5 g	0 mg	2 g	1 g	0 g
Hemp, original	100-140	5-6 g	0.5 g	0 mg	2-4 g	8-20 g	6-14 g
Rice, plain	80-130	2-2.5 g	0 g	0 mg	1 g	16-27 g	8-14 g
Oat, original	110-130	1.5-2.5 g	0 g	0 mg	4 g	24 g	19 g
Hazelnut, original	110	3.5 g	0 g	0 mg	2 g	18 g	14 g
Coconut, unsweetened	50	5 g	5 g	0 mg	1 g	1 g	0 g
Coconut, original	80	5 g	5 g	0 mg	1 g	7 g	6 g

·        Table  Taken from Spark People website

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Recipe - Overnight Oats

You know the benefits of eating breakfast, but you also know the benefits of getting enough sleep. Do you really have to choose which one is more important? Not anymore you don’t - now you can have both. I have to admit that I was somewhat addicted to this stuff over the summer and experimented with many different add-ins to keep my palate excited. 

Overnight Oats are oats mixed with a liquid of your choice and soaked overnight to absorb the liquid and the flavor of whatever ingredients you add. The most common mixture is equal parts raw rolled oats, milk and yogurt, but you may want to alter the amount of milk for a thinner or thicker consistency. 

This is an affordable, healthy breakfast that provides whole grains, protein, fiber and fruit to get start your morning off right. And trust me, it could not be easier. Simply mix everything together in a sealed container or a Mason jar (like the ones you use for homemade jam) and set in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, grab a spoon and you have breakfast. Voila! If you want to take the chill off, microwave for 20 seconds. Either way, it’s a delicious way to start your day. 

Overnight Oats (Basic Recipe) 

· 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
· 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup skim milk (soy milk, almond milk, etc)
· 1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt (regular yogurt will give your oats a thinner consistency)
· 1-1/2 teaspoons chia seeds
· Sweetener and/or spice
· Fruit

Have fun experimenting with different flavor combinations – your oatmeal is only as good as your imagination! To get you thinking, I’ve included a few of my favorites.

Pumpkin Spice
· ½ teaspoon cinnamon
· 1 teaspoon honey, agave or stevia to taste
· ¼ cup pumpkin

Peanut Butter Banana
1 tablespoon peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)
1 teaspoon honey, agave or stevia to taste
½ small banana, cut into small pieces

Maple Blueberry
· 2 teaspoons maple syrup
· 1/4 cup blueberries

Apple Cinnamon
· 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
· 1 teaspoon honey, agave or stevia to taste
· 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

Raspberry
1 tablespoon raspberry jam
1/4 cup raspberries 

Guest Blogger: Laura White, USD Dietetic Intern

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Fueling the Athlete with Oatmeal

If you are looking for a breakfast idea to have an hour or so before exercise, oatmeal is an excellent choice. Oatmeal is a whole grain that is high in soluble fiber, which allows for a slower digestion rate that provides long-lasting energy- perfect for athletes! You probably have noticed advertisements for oatmeal that label it as a "heart healthy" food. Oatmeal is considered heart healthy because the fiber content helps lower cholesterol levels. It will also help keep you feeling full longer. 

Oatmeal is high in carbohydrate. If you have read any other of my posts, you know how important carbohydrates are in the athlete's diet! A serving of oatmeal (1/2 cup, uncooked) provides 27 grams of carbohydrate. To add more grams of carbohydrates to your breakfast, prepare with milk and top with fresh fruit. That is a lot of wonderful nutrition in one bowl!

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