MyPlate for Athletes

Build a Sweet Potato Bowl

Sweet potatoes are a nutrient dense starchy vegetable providing an excellent source of carbohydrate at meals along with rich sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, B vitamins, potassium, and fiber. Sweet potato (with skin) nutrient content per 1 cup: Calories: 180 Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0g Total carbohydrate: 37 g Fiber: 7 g Protein: 4 g The sweet potato bowl is a weekly favorite in my household, and lucky me, it is one of the quickest dinners (or lunches) to prepare. If you don't have the sweet potato bowl on your weekly or monthly meal plan, you may want to start! [...]

Athletes need to make adjustments to their daily intake based on their training schedules. These adjustments may occur daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. It is important to know what to eat on a hard training day compared to an easy training day. The main game changer is the amount of carbohydrates consumed at meals. Carbohydrates are an athlete's main source of energy, an athlete's fuel! What foods are carbohydrates? Grains: breads/bagels/english muffins/wraps, pastas, rice, quinoa, oats/oatmeal, cereal, pretzels, and crackers Starchy vegetables: white potatoes, sweet potato, corn, and peas Fruit: whole fruit, fruit cups, applesauce, dried fruit, and 100% fruit juice Beans: [...]