3 Healthy Recipes for Athletes with Dairy, Soy, and Gluten Restrictions

 

It can be hard to make meals that are healthy and satisfying for athletes with certain food restrictions. But with a bit of prep and pre-planning, you can easily have snacks and meals on hand that are soy, dairy, and gluten-free.

TrueSport Expert Kristen Ziesmer, a registered dietitian and the owner of Elite Nutrition and Performance, has a few easy recipes to try.

Coconut Yogurt Parfait

Layer yogurt-berries-granola-yogurt-berries-granola into a bowl or glass for breakfast, or into a container for your athlete to bring to school for a quick lunch.

Coconut yogurt is a great option for athletes who can’t eat dairy, but if your athlete isn’t restricted to dairy-free options, Greek yogurt is a great source of protein. In general, avoid yogurts that are packed with added sugars. Ideally, get a plain yogurt that’s unflavored, then add your own sweetener with a bit of honey or maple syrup and a splash of vanilla extract.

Berries: Let your athlete choose their favorite berries. Blueberries, raspberries, and sliced strawberries tend to be the heavy favorites in parfaits, but if your athlete prefers chunks of kiwi instead, go for it! An easy option for busy parents is to buy frozen mixed berries, then prep the parfait the day before, so the berries have time to defrost in the fridge. Frozen berries can actually be better because the juices tend to run more and blend the whole parfait together.

Granola: To add more satiating carbohydrates and satisfying crunch, you can buy gluten-free granola, or easily make homemade gluten-free granola with under 10 minutes of prep. If you do want to make your own, preheat the oven to 250 degrees. In a bowl, combine gluten-free oats with a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of salt, and any chopped nuts that your athlete enjoys. Mix together until the oats stick together with that maple syrup. Spread the mixture thinly out on parchment paper, then cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the granola is dry and can easily be pushed around the pan. After baking, you can add in any dried fruit that your athlete enjoys too. You can do this once a week and have tasty homemade granola for days!

Even easier: Forget making granola, and instead just cook up some gluten-free instant oatmeal with a splash of almond milk, a spoonful of peanut butter, a sliced-up banana, some mixed berries, and a dash of maple syrup.