5 Unexpected Foods (& Drinks!) That Keep the Philadelphia Eagles Flying High Leave a comment

While you consider the meals that powers a profitable soccer staff, you would possibly image large plates of steak and infinite arduous boiled eggs. 

However for the Philadelphia Eagles, efficiency diet goes manner past the standard suspects. The staff’s cooks and dietitians fastidiously plan each meal to maximise vitality, endurance, and restoration. 

“Diet is essential to having vitality, stamina, and longevity on the sphere,” staff chef James Sirles advised MyFitnessPal (which is the proud nutrition tracking app of the Philadelphia Eagles). “A number of elements go into fine-tuning an elite athlete’s dietary wants … Gamers perceive how huge of a job diet performs in preserving them robust.”

And among the Eagle’s MVP meals are undoubtedly not what you’d suppose. Listed here are 5 of the sudden meals and drinks that give the Eagles an edge on and off the sphere:

1. Quinoa for Breakfast

Transfer over, oatmeal. Quinoa is the star ingredient within the Eagles’ morning meals. 

“Quinoa is a staple within the Eagles’ breakfast rotation due to its versatility and nutrient density,” says Sirles. Some gamers go for a protein-packed breakfast bowl with scrambled eggs, sautéed greens, and avocado, whereas others take pleasure in it as a heat, nutty porridge with almond milk, contemporary berries, and honey. 

It’s also possible to use quinoa to make more healthy variations of breakfast classics like pancakes, muffins, and hash.

“Quinoa is a key participant as a result of it delivers full protein and slow-digesting carbs to gas morning exercises or restoration periods,” Sirles explains.

2. Beet Juice for Endurance

Once they’re parched or want a pick-me-up, the gamers don’t at all times flip to sports activities drinks or protein shakes. They attain for beet juice. 

You learn that proper: One of many staff’s go-to drinks is crimson beet juice. 

“It’s a favourite among the many gamers as a result of it’s wealthy in nitrates, which enhance blood stream and oxygen supply to muscle tissue, boosting stamina and endurance,” says Sirles (1, 2). 

That’s a giant profit for gamers who must maintain peak efficiency all through lengthy, high-intensity video games. 

3. Tart Cherry Juice for Restoration

There’s one other essential however uncommon juice in rotation for the gamers. Tart cherry juice. 

“This anti-inflammatory powerhouse is a secret weapon for lowering muscle soreness and enhancing sleep high quality, which is essential for restoration throughout a busy season,” says Sirles (3, 4). 

Plus, its pure anti-inflammatory properties assist gamers bounce again sooner from grueling exercises and video games, preserving them prepared for no matter comes subsequent within the season (5).

4. Kimchi and Sauerkraut for Intestine Well being

Fermented meals like kimchi and sauerkraut won’t be the primary stuff you affiliate with soccer, however these conventional cabbage dishes assist give Eagle’s gamers an edge.

“Fermented meals are wealthy in probiotics, which assist intestine well being and immune perform. A wholesome intestine is important for absorbing vitamins and preserving gamers game-ready,” says Sirles (6).

“The human intestine microbiota does greater than digest meals—it performs a vital function in athletic efficiency,” says Melissa Jaeger, a dietitian and the Head of Diet for MyFitnessPal. 

“Our intestine helps nutrient absorption, metabolism, and performs a job in regulating irritation, all of that are important for serving to athletes just like the Eagles carry out at their greatest,” she explains (7).

5. Candy Potatoes for Regular Power

“These are a go-to complicated carbohydrate for sustained vitality. They’re included in pre-game meals to assist gamers keep away from vitality crashes and keep focus all through the sport,” Sirles stated.

They’re additionally filled with fiber, nutritional vitamins, and antioxidants to assist general well being. Whether or not mashed, roasted, or baked right into a facet dish, candy potatoes assist gamers keep focus and stamina by means of all 4 quarters and into additional time.

The Eagles’ Diet Staples

Past these sudden picks, the Eagles’ cafeteria is at all times stocked with the fundamentals of nice diet, together with:

• Lean protein: Grilled rooster and salmon are must-haves for muscle restoration and restore.
• Greek yogurt: Excessive in protein and probiotics, Greek yogurt is a go-to snack, typically paired with granola, nuts, or seeds for added vitamins and crunch.
• Path combine and protein bars: These handy, moveable snacks hold gamers energized between meals.
• Fruit with nut butter: Bananas, apples, and oranges paired with almond or peanut butter present a fast, nutrient-dense vitality enhance.
• Hydration stations: Water, electrolyte-enhanced drinks, and smoothies are at all times inside attain to assist gamers keep hydrated and replenish misplaced vitamins.

Whereas the remainder of us won’t be coaching for the large recreation, there’s loads to be taught from the Eagles’ method to diet. 

Including all of those powerhouse meals to your individual eating regimen (and tracking your meals to help optimize nutrition!) might assist enhance vitality, restoration, and general well being—similar to the professionals.

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