Alright Stomachs…Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!
Alright Stomachs…Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!
Awe, it’s Thanksgiving morning. The smell of fresh rosemary fills the air and the kitchen counters are covered with dishes serving up maple-glazed turkey, collard greens and your Aunt Nancy’s famous crumb cake. This is the one day of the year we all get to forget about calories and sugar and focus on the solid goodness before us.
As athletes we tend to beat ourselves up when this ultimate feat of feast is over, when we really shouldn’t. Surprisingly, there are several good dishes that actually help us perform on the court. Here is a breakdown on the good-in-the-bowl, good-for-the-soul dishes you can not only enjoy but also feel good about:
Collard Greens: The major benefit to this favored vegetable dish is its ability in preventing cancer but these leafy greens keep our digestive system regular, remove unwanted toxins in our bodies, serve as a great natural antioxidant and last but not least provide two hallmark anti-inflammatory nutrients.
We recommend this:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/greens-and-beans-recipe/index.html
Turkey: There are two definite needs of a volleyball player and that’s protein and carbohydrates. Turkey is a lean meat and also proves to keep the digestive system in check and provide a great amount of sustainable energy. And with all that energy, why not play a quick volleyball game after Thanksgiving dinner?!
We recommend this:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html
Yams: Yams are a good source of vitamin B6; which our bodies need to protect our blood vessel walls. They also are high in potassium, preventing our calves from cramping up mid-game and a good source of complex carbohydrates. Thanks to this fiber powerhouse we can fill up on yams without filling up our waistlines and hips! But, go easy on the tasty candied part of this notorious dish!
We recommend this:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/carrot-and-yam-puree-recipe/index.html
Potatoes: Take away the greasy French fries or potato chips and enjoy even baked mashed potatoes and you have a low calorie, high fiber food that protects against cancer and cardiovascular disease. And what’s in store for you on the court? A ton of Vitamin B6; which helps the breakdown glycogen, the form in which sugar is stored in our muscles and liver. This is a key player in our athletic performance and endurance.
We recommend this:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/mashed-potatoes-recipe/index.html
Here at Rox, we have so much to be thankful for and most importantly is our fans. From our family to yours we wish you a great Thanksgiving. Eat, play and be merry!
Filed In: News
Posted by Courtney Davidson on November 23, 2011
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