Youth athletes are always on the go and pushing their bodies to reach the next level of performance, so it's crucial to start fueling the minute they hop out of bed. Whether you're an athlete or a parent trying to keep your star properly fed, the first step to success is a balanced breakfast.
Breakfast kick starts your metabolism, providing the necessary fuel to help burn calories throughout the day. A high-protein, low carbohydrate breakfast such as oatmeal gives you the energy needed to recharge your body and fill you up the right way so you're not hungry immediately after. Breakfast also helps level out blood sugars and keeps you focused throughout the day.
Being an athlete is both time consuming and exhausting. You're pulled between school, practice, homework and friends--which can lead to hungry and tired afternoons. In order to keep energy levels up during the day, it's important to eat low-calorie, healthy snacks that are filled with nutrition.
Examples of these kinds of snacks are:
- Almonds and walnuts
- Greek yogurt
- Eggs
- Kale
- Fruit
- Bran cereal
- Popcorn
- Ginger tea
- Soy chips
- Quinoa
- Dark chocolate
After practices or games, your body needs to be refueled. The best way to do this is through a balanced diet. Did you know that nearly 80 percent of proper recovery is attributed to nutrition? In order to aid your body in that recovery process, it's up to you to eat the right foods. This type of food is called "superfood" and pertains to anything that is nutrient-rich and beneficial to your health.
Examples of superfoods are:
- Chia seeds
- Maca root
- Spirulina
- Cordyceps
Eating healthy is important for your body (athlete or not). In order to stay on track and keep up a balanced diet, here are a few of our favorite recipes that not only taste great, but keep you feeling great.
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