Fuel for Athletes: The Delicious Benefits of Oatmeal
Fuel for Athletes
The Delicious Benefits of Oatmeal
Pro surfers have come a long way from the old days, when all they did was drink, smoke weed, and eat ramen. Surfers are legitimate athletes now, training and practicing clean living to ensure they are in the best possible shape to perform well and survive huge waves. This preparation trickles down to the average weekend warrior as well, with many of us practicing yoga and engaging in cross-training sports such as running, biking, and Cross-Fit. But staying fit involves more than exercise. An equally important part of fitness is diet—eating nutrient-dense foods that fuel our bodies rather than poison them.
Oatmeal is a classic breakfast for health-minded athletes, but it remains as relevant today as ever. While green smoothies and chia might be trending a the moment, oats are still as healthy and cheap as ever—and they are a great foundation for a variety of breakfasts. Oats themselves contain a large amount of fiber, which makes them a slow-burning carbohydrate that keeps you full and fueled for a long time. They are a whole grain stuffed full of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function, and they taste good too. But perhaps the best part of oats is how they can be accessorized.
Many athletes and health-conscious people like to thicken up their oats with peanut butter, almond butter, or other types of nut and seed butter. You can also add whole nuts and seeds such as chia or hemp to oats to give them some crunch. The next step is to add either dry or fresh fruits such as raisins, berries, peaches, mango, papaya, or even apples or pears. Spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon add a little bit of kick to your oats, with some people even making what is called “carrot cake oats” (with ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and shredded carrots). Finally, either yogurt, milk, or a dairy substitute such as soy or almond milk finish off the creation.
The result is a delicious, nutritious bowl of goodness that fuels your body, sticks with you for hours, and sets you up for an epic day at work, in the water, or just cruising on the beach. Next time you are at the grocery store, grab a box of oats and see what everyone has been talking about since pretty much forever!
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