Peanuts have been used to fuel up before and after hockey games from decades. Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle is known to start his day with peanut butter, toast and coffee. In 1933, a reporter spotted Maple Leaf player John Benedict O'Flaherty eating peanuts before a hockey, earning him the nickname “Peanuts”. More recently, Ottawa Senator Darren Kramer has developed a patent pending peanut butter jar to help peanut fans get every last bit of the gooey goodness.
From an early age, children begin eating peanuts to get ready for the big game, and parents love to indulge them. How could they not? These little legumes are filled with copious amounts of protein fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals. With early morning games, parents sometimes struggle to make a healthy and filling breakfast for their hockey stars. While the protein helps to keep the players full for longer, the different vitamins and minerals help to promote heart health, healthy bone and muscle growth, and support blood circulation. Here are some suggestions for a quick and easy way to fuel up on peanuts and peanut butter before or after the game.
- • Pop a bagel, bread or waffle in the toaster and lay the peanut butter on thick. This is quick to make and easy to eat on the drive to the rink
- • Dip your apple or banana slices in some peanut butter for an additional health boost
- • For a blast of protein, add a tablespoon (15 mL) of peanut butter to a fruit smoothie
- • Trail mix – Mix peanuts with raisins, dried cranberries and oats for a tasty on-the-go snack
- • Old faithful: the spoon! Two tablespoons of peanut butter will help to boost energy
- • Tip: Save the trail mix for after the game when they will need a second energy boost.
Source: Yahoo! Voices, Toronto Sun