How To Eat During Camp - Breakfast

With camp on the horizon for all skill levels of offensive linemen, the common question circulating, how should I eat?  It's a relatively easy question but can get in depth based on geographic location, ethnic background, personal taste, allergies etc, so I will post each meal and allow for questions to be asked before moving on to the next meal.  

Camp at every level is mentally and physically grueling, that’s the nature of the beast.  If camp were an easy endeavor, everybody would want to play football which would in turn fracture the nature of the game.  Football within the trenches is violent, physically demanding, mentally challenging and should only be played by people that can adapt to this reality.  Adapting your mind and body to this game is difficult within itself, while adapting your diet to it can be just as well.

What’s the goal during camp: Optimize

Energy Levels -    "Fatigue makes cowards of us all" - Vince Lomabardi

Brain Function -    Tired brain can’t focus or learn efficiently 

Strength Levels -  Nearly impossible to gain strength during camp but have to be   

                           stronger than guy across from you

CNS Function -    The nervous system is critical to performance, keep it fresh

Inflammation -      Damaging effects is well doc**ented, hurts performance

BREAKFAST:

The biggest hurdle with breakfast is getting over the IDEA of what breakfast should be and accept what breakfast IS.  Breakfast is the time to break your body's fast from the night and put it into a state of nourishment for the day.  A bad breakfast can be just as bad as not eating breakfast, choose wisely.

How: Carbohydrates

I talk a lot about carbs and their proclivity to aid in making you fatter.  At this point in the season, carbohydrates are a must.  I know what it feels like to go an extended period of time on a low carb diet and training camp isn’t the time to feel irritable or sluggish.  Quality carbohydrates at the right time will help you think more clear, provide a little extra motivation and even strength throughout camp. Notice, quality carbohydrates are the key, now is not the time to load up on Twinkies. High glycemic carbs such as Gatorade should be limited to immediately after practice or during.  The notion that “hydrating” with sports drinks is a fallacy, hydrate with water and replenish with sports drinks.  Sitting around chugging sports drink all day will only keep your insulin levels spiked which in turn increases your cortisol levels therefore making it very difficult for your body to recover but primed to store fat.  Yes, even with increased activity levels you can get fat.    

Breakfast Do’s: 

Eggs 

Brown Rice 

Oatmeal 

Wh*** Grain Toast 

Wh*** Milk

Butter

Berries

Banana’s 

Turkey

Beef

Nuts (Walnuts, Almonds, Pistachios)

Potatoes (Not Fried)

Cheese

Coconut Oil 

Breakfast Dont’s:

Skipping Breakfast (Not even an option)

Sweet Cereal (You Know What I Mean)

Orange Juice ( Fruit Juice Period)

Jelly

Syrup

High Glycemic Fruits (Pineapple, Watermelon)

White Flour (Bagels, White Bread)   <--- Inflammatory response by body very high

Pastries (Donuts, Cinnamon Rolls etc)

Fried Foods (Hash Browns)

Pancakes (Unless wh*** wheat, buckwheat or gluten free) 

Biscuits

Breakfast Maybe’s:

Bacon and Sausage (Processed meats cause inflammation, especially pork)

Coffee (A natural diuretic that can dehydrate you as well as the caffeine)

Grits (A southern staple but can trigger inflammation, moderation, no if injured)

Ideal Breakfast:

Wh*** Eggs 3-6 (Cheese, Red Onion, Peppers, Spinach) 

Oatmeal Sweetened with Splenda or Stevia OR Brown Rice

(Add Cinnamon - Inflammation, Memory, Blood Sugar Control)

Whey Protein Shake

Banana 

Strawberries

Handful of Almonds or Walnuts

Turkey Product OR Beef 

Supplement - Fish Oil 1 TBSP and  Multi-Vitamin

At Bare Minimum - For those that are accustomed to not eating in morning (Break the habit) 

Whey Protein Shake - Add 1 TBSP (melted) Coconut Oil

Banana

Nuts

GO PLAY HARD

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