Bocce is a wonderful sport because it caters to a wide diversity of ability levels and can be played with little equipment. While it is not as demanding on the body as basketball or cross country running, bocce still requires a commitment to learning new strategy and techniques. It takes a significant amount of time and mental capacity and just because you may not break a sweat during bocce practice, does not mean that you aren’t working hard and need an energy boost. No matter what sport you are playing, a healthy snack can always be beneficial. Your muscles AND your brain need energy (from food) in order to perform well. Many people forget that even if you are not fatiguing your muscles, your brain still needs a significant amount of energy. In fact, the human brain uses more energy than any other organ in the body (Scientific American). Similarly to our muscles, our brains break down glycogen storages as their source of energy. Therefore, it is important to provide our bodies with healthy foods like wholesome carbohydrates, protein, and “good” fats.
Whether you need a mid-practice snack, or you are traveling for a bocce tournament, below are some ideas for on-the-go snacks to keep your BODY & BRAIN sharp!
Yogurt Parfait:
In a Tupperware container, layer
low-fat or Greek yogurt
fruit
granola or whole grain cereal
Deli Rolls-Ups
Roll together,
Deli meat
Cheese
Lettuce
Tuna & Crackers
Top off some whole wheat or whole grain crackers with a scoop of canned tuna
Popcorn
Without the cheesy toppings and butter, popcorn is a great snack.
Smoothies
Blend together any variety of fruits, yogurt, milk, veggies, etc.
Example:
1 c plain nonfat yogurt 1 banana ½ c orange juice 6 frozen strawberries
For additional smoothie recipes, see here:
For more information on the brain and its energy usage, see here: