Nutrition

Expert Nutritionist Provides Tips & Tricks For Maintaining Fitness And Avoiding Injury

Preseason training is in the past, school is in session and the fall season is now in full swing. 

When you think about what you want to accomplish over the coming months, there's a lot that's out of your control — things that are dependent on your coach, the opponent, etc. — but you can give yourself the best possible chance of success by maintaining a routine that keeps you prepared, elevates your performance and ultimately reduces your risk of injury. 

Getting Back In Shape For Soccer Season? An Expert Nutritionist Is Here To Help

Summer vacation is over. If you've been avoiding the heat by staying inside and relaxing on the couch in front of the TV with a selection of your favorite processed foods, the idea of whipping yourself into shape for the fall can certainly feel daunting.  

But whatever your soccer goals, fitness ambitions or workout plans are, your best intentions can be sabotaged by failing to recognize the importance of nutrition, hydration and recovery in your daily training regimen.

MLS Veteran Opens Up About Body Shaming, Eating Disorders

Chris Seitz played professional soccer for 15 years before retiring in January. Now the MLS Cup-winning goalkeeper is opening up about his issues with body shaming and eating disorders.

Seitz won an NCAA title with Maryland, an MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake and U.S. Open Cups with both FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo. The California native made more than 100 career MLS appearances and wore the No. 1 jersey for the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics. 

He’s been around. He’s won. And he’s had struggles.

Traditional Mint Julep (and variations) | Flavors Of Football

The18 presents our at home Traditional Mint Julep recipe commonly drank at The Kentucky Derby. Inspired by NWSL team Racing Louisville FC, we put our bartender skills to the test to see how this fruit-forward Julep recipe stacked up against the Traditional Mint Julep.

Traditional Mint Julep Recipe:

- 2 oz. Kentucky bourbon (Woodford Reserve to mimic Kentucky Derby style)

- .5 oz. simple syrup

- 4 mint leaves

- crushed ice

Instructions:

- add simple syrup and mint to Julep cup

Flavors of Football: Dirty Gin Martini

The18 presents our at home Dirty Gin Martini recipe in honor of the most winningest and carded player in soccer history, Mr. Dirty himself, Sergio "El Rey" Ramos! 

Try it for yourself! And be your own hero at your next soccer watch party.

Ingredients:

2 oz London Dry Gin

.5 oz Dry Vermouth

.5 oz Olive Juice

Make it a Ramos style with an additional 1.5 oz Olive Juice!!

Pour all ingredients into a shaking tin. Fill with ice.

Shake vigorously until drink is chilled. 

Flavors of Football: Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned

The18 presents a Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned recipe in honor of Captain America himself, Christian Pulisic! And we're using, you guessed it, Hershey's chocolate bars!

Try it for yourself! And be your own hero at your next USMNT watch party.

Ingredients:

4 oz Bourbon

1 oz Maraschino Liqueur

8 dashes Chocolate Bitters

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. Fill glass with ice.

Stir smoothly until drink is chilled. 

Pour over single large ice cube.

Add cherry and Hershey Chocolate Square for garnish and enjoy!

Flavors of Football: The Best Tex-Mex Frozen Margarita

In honor of our Texan-Mexican hero Ricardo Pepi, we are bringing you The Best Tex-Mex Frozen Margarita recipe!

Try it yourself! And be your own hero at your next USMNT watch party.

Ingredients:

7oz tequila

3oz triple sec

3oz (fresh) lime juice

2oz agave

Add all ingredients to a blender. Fill blender full of ice. 

Blend until frothy. It should be icy but not watery. 

Pour and enjoy! Recipe serves 4 

Expert Nutritionists Provide 3 Easy Tips To Help You Navigate The Holiday Season

A holiday season done right celebrates the greatest aspects of family, food and relaxation, but we all know that an excess of any of those three things can negatively impact our mind and body (sorry Aunt Linda!). 

It’s important to keep things in perspective. Your health or diet isn’t going to be completely sabotaged by one meal or even a handful of meals throughout the holiday season, and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your favorite foods to mark these special occasions; the key is to find a balance that allows you to feel good afterward. 

The Best Halftime Snacks To Play Like The Best

You know the cliché: It’s halftime and the soccer moms are bringing out orange slices and juice boxes for the youngsters. That’s so 90s. In the summer of 2021, soccer players young and old want something more to fuel their recovery, whether before, after or during a match. Here are the best halftime snacks to have your team playing like the pros.

Best Halftime Snacks

Apple + Peanut Butter

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