Food is Fuel!

Cooking with the Crew: 3 Hearty Meals to Fuel Your Offseason Workouts

By Daesha Harper|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on June 29, 2022)

Performing at your best starts with what you are putting in your system. That said, you may catch yourself eating the same things over and over again because it's the only thing that has worked, or you know it's healthy and have no idea how to expand your options. We are here to provide you with a new recipe for success. We recently chatted with one of San Francisco States athletic trainers, Jenna Ramirez, about all things pre-game meals, and she provided some great additions to your palette.

Build your plate up

When eating, Jenna says it's vital to incorporate certain groups within your diet to have the proper nutrition with every meal. Some essential items to include in your diet are lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, dairy, beans, lentils, lean beef, and eggs. Grains and carbs like bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, oats, and quinoa. Then, a selection of fruits, veggies, and a serving of dairy to balance it all out. Having a blend of these categories will allow you to have a simple combination that you can switch up each day.

Importance of variety

According to Jenna, having a few interchangeable choices to blend different flavors into your palette encourages you to stick to eating healthy and fueling your system. Jenna believes that “people tend to fall off their diet” due to repetition. With these diverse and simple components, you are able to have a little something different each day, depending on how you prepare it. Keeping athletes interested in their diets helps players to compete at their best. Find what works for you and roll with your selection. Spices and flavorings are a good, budget-friendly place to start switching things up! Or swap out your staples. For example, if you always eat salads with lettuce, try a spring mix instead, or try a honeycrisp apple in place of your usual granny smith.