Tuesday Tip: Three Tips for Optimizing your Smoothie like a PGA TOUR Pro
As the host organization for the Quicken Loans National, TGR Live is responsible for providing players with healthy food choices at the golf course throughout tournament week. With PGA TOUR players becoming increasingly more health conscious, the smoothie station has become one of the most popular options.
Whether a player is fueling up prior to a round or trying to upgrade their post-round snack, here are three smoothie upgrades that support ultimate performance.
- To make your smoothie naturally sweet use fruit for flavor. Your best bet for fresh fruit is to go to your local farmer’s market and see what’s in season. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cherries are all great additions to a summertime smoothie.
Tip: Blueberries are filled with antioxidants which can strengthen your immune system
- Elevate your smoothie to get even more nutrition. To make sure you’re getting the maximum benefits, add a mild tasting green like baby spinach or toss in carrots or beets. Make sure to start small and build to find the right balance between nutrients and flavor. This is a convenient way to include more produce and additional vitamins & minerals into your diet.
Tip: Spinach adds protein and will help keep you fuller longer
- To pack an extra punch of protein and make your smoothie feel more substantial, try adding natural peanut, almond or cashew butter. You can also try adding frozen avocado slices to make your smoothie extra creamy or full-fat coconut milk – both healthy fats make a great base to build from.
Tip: Coconut milk is a good source of vitamins and minerals and is rich in antioxidants
Ultimately, what goes into the blender determines how healthy a smoothie is going to be for you. It’s important to remember that the right fuel at the right time can help provide an energy advantage on-course, optimize your performance during a round and be a great aide in any golfer’s post-round recovery.
The Quicken Loans National is Washington D.C.’s annual PGA TOUR event. For more information and other behind the scenes action, visit www.qlnational.com or follow @TGRLiveEvents on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
