What do top sports nutritionists recommend as quick and easy dinners to make for a family meal after an afternoon practice or game?
To make life easy for a family always on the go, we've compiled a list from the responses MomsTEAM got for a recent blog series on nutrition and put them all in one place (after all, it can't be quick-and-easy if you have to read all the blogs!):
Leslie Bonci [1] loves bowls containing layers of:
Kat B [2]arefield [2] recommends:
Valerie Berkowitz [3] asks if there is there anything easier than a BBQ? She suggests:
Patty James [4] says a quick-and-easy dinner after a busy day is truly that only if you have prepared. She recommends having veggies always washed/dried/cut or sliced in the refrigerator and a protein source (eggs, poultry, cold-water fish such as salmon and trout; vegetarians should have brown rice and other grains as well as a selection of beans available). For menu ideas, Patty suggests
Jill Castle [5] has a couple of great dinner menu ideas:
Dave Ellis [6] says the best thing to do is come home and find the protein in the crock pot (say, for instance, whole chicken) and ready to serve. Now just pull a carb source (baby red potatoes, which you could already have cooked in the slow cooker) and some fresh produce into the mix and you have a meal! Add a quick salad or steamed vegetable, and you are in business. Add fresh berries and Greek yogurt for a protein snack/dessert.
Jennifer McDaniel [7] is another one who says bust out that crockpot!! Crockpots/slow cookers is the answered prayer for busy families. Buy a slow cooker cookbook and let your family take turns in picking out new recipes to try. An involved athlete in the kitchen is an empowered eater and will most likely be open to try new and healthy foods.
Allison Maurer [8]'s [8] favorite is rotisserie chicken from the grocery store because it can be used to make so many different quick meals. Besides just carving it up and serving it with rice and frozen veggies as a side, you can shred it and use it:
Martha McKittrick [9] is a big fan of pasta - whole wheat if possible. Add some veggies, sauce (tomato, oil and garlic or pesto) and a protein source (ground turkey or lean beef, tofu, beans, seafood or cheese) and you've got a complete meal. It's a quick, tasty and inexpensive meal that will help to replete glycogen stores and repair muscles post workout.
Links:
[1] https://momsteam.com/node/5516
[2] https://momsteam.com/node/5510
[3] https://momsteam.com/node/5504
[4] https://momsteam.com/node/5483
[5] https://momsteam.com/node/5451
[6] https://momsteam.com/node/5450
[7] https://momsteam.com/node/5529
[8] https://momsteam.com/node/5442
[9] https://momsteam.com/node/5522
[10] https://momsteam.com/nutrition/nutrition-advice-sports-parents
[11] https://momsteam.com/breakfast-ideas-busy-families
[12] https://momsteam.com/nutrition/top-sports-nutrition-foods