Antioxidant oats recipe
January 18th, 2008 by Nikola Tosic
A great way to start your training day is a energetic and antioxidant breakfast. For breakfast you need lots of carbs for energy, some essential oils, B and other vitamins (to process that energy), some proteins and it is nice if you can also add a ton of antioxidants.
Although, to be frank, some doctors I spoke to regarding the oxidation theory (in relation to training especially) were not very convinced this theory is even true and if it were not true than most of the functional foods and nutritional supplements are a complete mistake. However it does not hurt to try things or to follow up on a hype if it is not damaging. And eating oats and few high quality ingredients is definitely a plus.
If you can afford it that its since a lot of these foods are super expensive (compared to junk food) but most of us eat much more than necessary so you can compensate the budget by eating a bit less overall or getting rid of few nights out or something like that. For 99% of people eating is an irrational investment so I am not sure how much you, the reader of this blog, cares about changes in food budget.
So anyway, here goes one of my favourite meals:
Organic rolled oats - Good source of complex slow-releasing carbs, fibre, B vitamins, essential fatty acids and other minerals and vitamins, overall it is almost perfect energy food.
Goji berries - Sun-dried, no sulphur dioxide, rich in antioxidants. Make sure you do not consume sulphured dried fruit or wine as sulphur dioxide is one of the worst additives in use.
Raw cacao - Label says: directly from the tree, I hope its true. If it is pure, raw and totally unprocessed cacao beans contain huge amounts of antioxidants. This is why popular press usually talks about benefits of chocolate. Only problem is that any form of processing usually ruins all the benefits of cacao and the additional sugar and butter is a disaster for health. So here enters pure organic cacao beans - if you can get them have them from time to time. Be careful though: cacao causes constipation - not a pleasant problem if you have 4+ hours of training a day.
Ground cinnamon - Great taste. Cinnamon has been traditionally mixed with sweet foods as, ever since ancient times, people noticed it helps absorption of sugars - it slows them down. Slower absorption of sugars is almost always good. Only time you need a sugar rush is the last 10 km of Ironman marathon or when you need to have a fist fight at 3 am.
Banana - Perfect fruit! Potassium, magnesium, tryptophan, carbs, protein… We all know it and we all love it.
Hot water - It is good to eat foods full of water sometimes, especially for breakfast, as long as you are sure water will not slow down the digestion. You dehydrate over the night and you need water in the morning. Besides drinking some eating some is good as well. Also water will make oats more digestible. Make sure water is not too hot when you add cacao and berries as high temperature can ruin the antioxidants.
Some rooibos tea (not from teabags) one the side will make this a perfect meal.
I actually eat this for lunch or dinner sometimes even. Depends on what kind of training I have.
Enjoy and let me know what you think.
January 24th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Talk about excellent timing. I read this article yesterday morning and later that afternoon found myself stopping at the The Wellness Warehouse in the Heathway Centre.
This is an oasis for athletes as you can buy just about every conceivable nut, berry and organic produce as well as homeopathic remedies and supplements. I walked out there with enough food to keep snacking for a week, all of which cost me far less than I have been spending on pastries and chocolates so far.
Goji berries, raw cocoa, almonds, dates, oats, dried figs and apricots plus some organic hot chocolate to substitute my daily coffee habit.
So Nikola, I am thanking you for helping me to get healthy again and I promise I will take the time to stop and thank you again as you start your last lap and I turn down the finish chute at IMSA.