THE BEST BREAKFAST FOODS TO EAT BEFORE SWIMMING

Do you have very little desire to eat as soon as you wake up?
According to a study conducted by OnePoll, “The average American only eats breakfast three times a week.” Most people turn a blind eye when reminding themselves that breakfast is a crucial ingredient to raising energy, creativity, and focus throughout their day.
Cooking an all-American breakfast isn’t the only way to a hefty, substantial meal. Sure, who wouldn’t love a plate of hot bacon and waffles by your bedside table every morning? But let’s face it, that’s not reality. Reality is snoozing the alarm before you wake up shocked and have to quickly stuff your face with a banana and granola bar before you’re late to practice. We aren’t here to shame you for doing so but to remind you that nourishing your body first thing in the morning is essential to a healthy lifestyle as a swimmer.
A hungry swimmer isn’t ready to take on a full day of training. An empty stomach will tire you out quicker, making you a weaker competitor, and making your training sessions a waste. Swimming laps require fuel, or in other words, a food intake.
Here are some of the best breakfast foods to consider before swimming.
Carbohydrates
Eating in the mornings doesn’t have to be time-consuming to be considered a healthy balanced diet. Some of the best breakfast foods before swimming are easy to prepare and boost your energy tremendously. Dried Fruits and vegetables can be used as a quick snack, on top of a Greek yogurt parfait, or even better, in a delicious fruit smoothie.
Throw bananas, peanut butter, strawberries, and kale, into a blender with your choice of protein powder, milk of choice, and VIOLA! You have a blend of delicious protein to go that takes you no more than five minutes to make. Another easy blending option is fresh fruit juice. Instead of milk, add water for a lighter, more detoxifying breakfast alternative.
Don’t have time to throw all of these ingredients into a blender? Grab a tablespoon of peanut butter, a protein bar, and a banana, and you’re ready to start your morning!
Whole-grain toast with almond butter or peanut butter is another excellent way to help you feel full for an extended period of time. This heavy carbohydrate meal is tasty and provides a slow, steady release of energy to last you for a full length of practice.
Lean Proteins
Eating and drinking is the most beneficial thing you can do to boost the effectiveness of your training as a competitive swimmer. Protein bars are a great way to quickly eat your breakfast on the go to keep your stomach from feeling empty.
Drinking a premade protein shake is another way to enjoy a quick breakfast. There are endless flavors of protein powders like coffee, chocolate, or matcha that may even give you that extra boost by fulfilling your caffeine addiction. Just be sure to time your intake, so you don’t suffer the notorious caffeine crash in the middle of training.
Healthy Fats
Fats are essential for vitamin absorption and regulating hormones. It’s important to know what kind of fats are a great energy source. However, we aren’t saying fill your body with a bunch of french fries before a big swim meet.
Katherine Harmer, registered dietitian nutritionist, explains in her blog, Fueling Teens, “Healthy fats that swimmers can look to include in their diet are avocados, olive oil, salmon, and other fatty fish, nuts, nut butters, and seeds.”
I don’t know about you, but when I read over that list, I instantly thought of putting all those ingredients into a delicious avocado toast. It’s a simple way to incorporate unsaturated fats into your diet bright and early.
I know we’ve all heard it before. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Everyone’s body is different, so some foods won’t suit your dietary agenda. Balancing your breakfast with carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats will help YOUR individual performance in the pool.