Health Ministry launches World Health Survey 2025 Survey to collect accurate health status database of Saudi population    Dr. Al-Rabeeah at UK House of Lords: Saudi Arabia provides $134 billion in aid to 172 countries in 30 years    Saudi Arabia receives first Hajj 2025 pilgrims from multiple countries    3rd phase of Vision 2030 to focus on sustaining transformation and capitalizing on emerging growth opportunities    Housing minister expects moderate real estate prices in Riyadh    Travel mayhem in Spain and Portugal as power outage grounds flights, paralyzes train networks    Saudi Arabia at ICJ: Israel turns Gaza Strip into a pile of rubble    SR200,000 reward for each player of the Saudi club winning AFC Champions League title    William and Kate celebrate anniversary on Isle of Mull    Hope and fear as tourists trickle back to Kashmir town after attack    Israel spy chief to step down after row with Netanyahu exposes deepening rifts    Localization in Saudi military industries rises to 19.35%    Logistics park for vehicles worth SR300 million to be set up at Dammam port    HONOR KSA expands its presence with new flagship Experience Store in Riyadh HONOR's first flagship store in KSA provides visitors with a premium experience, exciting offers and free services    Al-Falih: Eastern Province hosts 700 investment opportunities worth SR330 billion    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picks Outkast but not Oasis    Al Ahli cruise past Buriram into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Duran leads Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi orchestra to perform at Sydney Opera House in May    Al Hilal thrash Gwangju to reach AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Teams bring favorite foods with them to Brazil
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 17 - 06 - 2014

SAO PAULO — Italy packed Parmesan, olive oil and prosciutto. The US brought oatmeal, Cheerios, peanut butter and A1 Steak Sauce.
The Mexican team, of course, required a little more spice. El Tri traveled with the ingredients for pozole, along with chile peppers, chipotle chiles and nopales — or cactus.
When it comes to World Cup food, teams aren't willing to leave anything to chance. They expect their players to have top nutrition, and also want them to enjoy some favorites so they are comfortable and at their best when it's time to play.
For the Azzurri, attention to culinary detail is nothing new. The Italians are particular about their pasta.
“Pasta is our preferred fuel, and before matches we play with the tricolore: pasta (white), tomato (red) and extra virgin olive oil (green),” explained Italy team nutritionist Elisabetta Orsi, referring to the country's flag colors.
With everything else taking up suitcase space, the Italians left their bottled water back home this time because of the high cost to bring it, even though the federation has a water sponsor.
For England, ketchup once again is allowed on the menu by coach Roy Hodgson after predecessor Fabio Capello banned the condiment.
Italy and the United States have put a greater emphasis into nutrition under new coaches, each carefully planning meals with the guidance and direction of a dietitian or nutritionist and a chef. For Italy, even the medical staff might offer input to well-known team chef Claudio Silvestri, who has his own TV commercials.
Everything is planned carefully based on the climate, availability of fresh fruit and vegetables, and other conditions.
“Generally, the nutritionist establishes a dietary plan for the squad based on the type of training necessary match by match,” Orsi said. “The physicians are responsible for pointing out problems with individual players so the nutritionist can formulate a specific diet.”
Long before the US team traveled to Brazil this month, chef Bryson Billapando and sports performance dietitian Danielle LaFata visited the team's hotels in Sao Paulo, Natal, Manaus and Recife to scour the kitchens and dining spaces and scout food options.
Avocados for this group are a must. The Americans go through an average of a case a day.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann loves a diet of fresh, organic vegetables — pesticide-free and flavored with herbs and spices instead of fatty options such as butter and oil. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of the foods served are made from scratch.
While the Americans had an on-site chef in South Africa four years ago, this is the first time one has been part of the lead up to the tournament.
Klinsmann is particular in all aspects of his team's performance, and he and LaFata speak daily.
Color rules.
Each meal includes two cooked vegetables featuring two colors, then players are encouraged to add more variety from fruit and the salad bar.
In the land of flowing cocktails, the 36-year-old LaFata even makes her version of “spa water” with herbs and fruit to cut down on the juice intake. The 5-foot LaFata pulls around a square cooler on wheels that's nearly as big as she is, filled with fresh fruit.
The Americans are glad they brought their own food and chef, and the players appreciate the added emphasis on nutrition. — AP


Clic here to read the story from its source.