One of the most common challenges our athletes ask us about is how to improve their nutrition. Eating right isn't just about being healthier (although that does count for something right?) it can play a crucial role in an athlete's performance. Beyond the obvious factors of how nutrition can effect body composition is how it can more immediately impact our energy level. I tell athletes all the time that I have more energy now than I did when I was a teenager because I eat much healthier now. When we compound this factor with early morning training, practices or even games and tournaments the right approach to breakfast can play a pivotal role in an athlete's performance.
We asked Noreen Gallo, a dietitian and friend of Complete Athlete to give us some useful information to share with you all and this is what she had to say.
You Wouldn’t Skip Your Workout – So Why Skip Breakfast?
We have all heard the old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period, jumpstarts an athlete’s metabolism (calorie
burning engine) and most importantly kicks the appetite stimulating hormones into gear so
that they can alert you to eat during the day. In order to get the most out of your workouts
and compete a high level, you have to properly fuel your body all day long! Food Is Fuel!
To get the MOST out of your training you have to consider FOOD as PART of your training.
No Time in the Morning? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Toaster waffles with peanut butter smeared on top
- 2 hard-boiled eggs and a container of OJ
- Yogurt and granola parfait
- Greek yogurt squeeze tube or smoothie and a banana
- Individual peanut butter packets like Jif to Go and sliced apple or banana
- Trail Mix – nuts, dried fruits, cereal
- Yogurt and fruit
- Bagel or 2 mini bagels and peanut butter and a milk box
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chocolate milk
- Leftovers from Dinner
- Cheese stick and a granola bar. Some of my favorite bars: Cliff, Cliff Whey, Luna Protein, RX, Kind, Balance, Zone, and Detour Smart. Look for a bar that has at least 8 or more grams of protein
Noreen Gallo MSRD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Your Forever Nutrition
Counseling. For more tips and motivation, contact Noreen at 603 553-1334 and follow her Healthy Living Blog
