Professional Athletes Share Their Food Faves

There’s a reason behind the #FoodIsFuel hashtag: Nutrient-dense food can boost an athlete’s endurance. It can also help minimize muscle damage and speed workout recovery. Athletes are smart to avoid junk food diets.  Foods with processed sugar, alcohol and saturated fat can lead to inflammation and reduced energy. We explored pre-and post-workout food choices in this Smart Lifebites story.  But decided to go deeper by asking the experts. We turned to SLB fitness contributors Blaine Strong, Sara Jane McShane and Andrea Metcalf and asked them: ‘What fuels your workouts and why?”  Here’s what they had to say:

Blaine Strong, Fitness Coach

Blaine Strong is a L.A.-based fitness coach, model and influencer. Last year he showed our readers “5 Abs Exercises to get you Ready for Pool Party Season.” He was also featured in this SLB Spotlight

On a typical day, Strong might eat the following: “I either do a healthy meal replacement shake with some spinach, blueberries, and oats or an egg white bombelette (Bomb omelette) with spinach. Lunch varies but usually I have 8 oz of chicken breast, 1-2 cups of greens (asparagus and broccoli are my favorite), and 1 cup of complex carbs (sweet potatoes usually).

Strong’s preferred egg white ‘bombelette’ with spinach

While Strong tries to eat a high-protein diet, he says, “I never really tell people which way to eat is best because I believe everybody is different. I believe that everyone does need an adequate amount of protein, carbs, and healthy fats every day. If I had to give it a name it would be closely related to paleo.” He doesn’t do dairy and tries to avoid gluten. 

Sara Jane McShane Fitness Writer and Nutritionist 

Sara Jane McShane is a Fitness Writer and Sports Nutritionist who’s appeared in fitness magazines including Dr. Oz.com, Livestrong and on the cover of Proactive Health. She’s written about the Health Benefits of Trail Running for Smart Lifebites.

“My go-to foods constantly change depending on what season of training I’m in,” McShane says. “Right now, I’m loving organic apples! I can eat one pre-workout for a clean, natural sugar boost or as a post- workout snack to help replenish drained glycogen storages as well as give myself a vitamin boost.”

McShane tells us she eats an organic apple before her workouts for an energy boost.

“I also love the energy green tea gives me. So this is also a favorite pre-workout for clean energy and the help against fighting free radicals.” 

Andrea Metcalf , Chicago  Fitness Expert

Andrea Metcalf is a Chicago Fitness Expert . She has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows including NBC Today Show, Oprah.com. She is also the best-selling author of “Naked Fitness.” Her newest endeavor is Hang 5 Fitness (featured on CNN and “Shark Tank” is the only indoor surf studio in Chicago. It has daily yoga, barre, and Pilates Reformer classes. Most recently for SLB she created a series of fun workouts you can do at the office.  

“My  pre-workout fuel is usually my breakfast – I’ve been doing the Greek yogurt, blueberries, and raspberries with a slice of homemade collagen protein banana bread with chocolate chips,” Metcalf says. She loves this banana bread recipe so much she shared the recipe with us. Enjoy! 

Protein Banana Bread with Collagen