When you’re expected to turn in the best performance on earth, you want nothing less than the best fuel to fire you up—we’re talking healthy, flavorful, and full of protein. Here are the kind of dishes that can help our greatest athletes carry out their greatest feats.
Quinoa Salad with Toasted Almonds
• 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
• 2 ½ cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 tbps. Olive oil
• ½ cup apricots (dried); diced
• 1 each red, yellow and green pepper; diced
• ½ cup Whole Natural Blue Diamond Almonds
• Salt/pepper to taste
Snack Tip
“Begin refueling with a mixture of dried cherries and almonds. This ‘sport fuel’ is an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients important for a swimmer’s recovery”
— Andrea Rudser-Rusin, USA Swimming Dietitian
Pancake Smoothie
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup Chocolate Almond Breeze Almondmilk
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 banana
• 2 cups frozen strawberries
Antioxidant-Packed Almond Trail Mix
• 3 cups Whole Natural Blue Diamond Almonds
• ¾ cups (unsweetened) dried cherries
• ¾ cups (unsweetened) coconut flakes
• ½ cups mini dark chocolate (70% coca) chips
Directions
Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl and store in air-tight container. Enjoy a quarter cup at a time.
Snack Tip
“Top your morning oatmeal with a sprinkle of slivered almonds. This simple addition can add protein, calcium, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats; all of which help get the swimmer’s day started right.”
— Andrea Rudser-Rusin, USA Swimming Dietitian
Banana Bread Smoothie
2 bananas; peeled; sliced and frozen
• 1 cup Almond Breeze Original (or for extra creaminess use Blended with Real
• Bananas Almond Breeze Almondmilk)
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (uncooked)
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup; if you’d like a sweeter smoothie
