brookSport Volume 10 | Page 32

BREAKFAST

THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL

USA BASEBALL AMATEUR RESOURCE CENTER

reakfast is important for performance

and health. It is an early-morning refueling stop for your body. After 8-12 hours without a meal or snack, your body needs to be replenished with fuel and fluid. Here are some facts about the importance of eating breakfast:

Breakfast is a refueling stop for your body - replenish glucose (blood sugar levels) and fluid.

Breakfast eaters tend to have more strength and endurance.

Breakfast improves alertness, concentration, mental performance, motivation and memory.

Breakfast can benefit an athlete's mood.

Breakfast decreases the chances of inappropriate snacking, which can result in a higher intake of fat and therefore weight gain.

Breakfast provides a jump start to your daily requirements of fluid, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Breakfast sustains you through training and

B

decreases the ravenous hunger feeling you may experience during the day.

Breakfast eaters make better food choices during the rest of the day.

Here are some great options to include breakfast into your daily eating program:

Whole-grain cereal with fruit and milk/yogurt.

Waffles with peanut butter and a fruit smoothie.

Oatmeal made with milk and dried fruit/nuts.

Eggs (not fried) and toast; 1 to 2 ratio; with fruit

Smoothie with milk, fruit, yogurt, honey, oats, ground flax, peanut butter, etc.

Pancakes with fruit, maple syrup and a glass of milk.

Bagel with peanut butter, small fruit smoothie.

English muffins topped with melted cheese and tomato.

Omelet made with vegetables.

32 brookSport S 2019