Which came first, the chicken or the egg? When asked this age-old question during an NFL minicamp, Denver Broncos linebacker (and aspiring poultry farmer) Von Miller said, “I think it’d have to be the chicken. You need something to protect the eggs.”
Miller’s pre-game fueling regimen, however, follows a reverse theory. The Broncos’ sack specialist wakes up with a breakfast of eggs, potatoes and assorted fruit around 10:30 in the morning when he’s scheduled to play a late afternoon or evening game. Three hours before kickoff, he has a second meal, one that pairs 200 to 300 grams of carbohydrates with a protein source like salmon or, yes, chicken.
Why? One reason is that Broncos team nutritionist Bryan Snyder recommends his players eat “a pretty good variety of pastas, proteins, cornbread and starches. [The pre-game meal should be] very carbohydrate focused with lean sources of protein.”
When game time draws near, Miller gets primed to play his best with Gatorade Prime Energy Chews. He eats them in the locker room just before he takes the field for warm-ups. The Chews supply real, sustainable energy to Miller’s hard-working muscles, helping him make play after game-changing play from the opening kickoff until the game clock reads zero.
“You notice a spike in your performance when you can get the right nutrients and fuel into your body before a game,” Miller says.
To get the energy you need when it’s time to compete, try the following meal, which is inspired by Miller’s game day eating plan.
Grilled Salmon on Wheat (1/4 filet)
A filling sandwich that gives you energy-rich carbs, lean protein and healthy fats (your body’s backup energy source after carbs).
Calories: 449
Fat: 13g
Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 30g
Assorted Fruit (1 cup)
Mixed fruits are high in energy and full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your muscles to function.
Calories: 72
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 18g
Protein: 0g
Gatorade Thirst Quencher (20 oz.)
The combination of carbs and electrolytes provided by this drink can help prevent cramping during a game.
Calories: 125
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 35g
Protein: 0g
Brown Rice (1 cup)
Rice delivers slow-digesting complex carbs to fill your energy stores prior to games.
Calories: 218
Fat: 2g
Carbs: 45g
Protein: 5g
Gatorade Prime Energy Chews
Contains B vitamins, which help athletes maintain their energy throughout activity.
Calories: 100
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 25g
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Which came first, the chicken or the egg? When asked this age-old question during an NFL minicamp, Denver Broncos linebacker (and aspiring poultry farmer) Von Miller said, “I think it’d have to be the chicken. You need something to protect the eggs.”
Miller’s pre-game fueling regimen, however, follows a reverse theory. The Broncos’ sack specialist wakes up with a breakfast of eggs, potatoes and assorted fruit around 10:30 in the morning when he’s scheduled to play a late afternoon or evening game. Three hours before kickoff, he has a second meal, one that pairs 200 to 300 grams of carbohydrates with a protein source like salmon or, yes, chicken.
Why? One reason is that Broncos team nutritionist Bryan Snyder recommends his players eat “a pretty good variety of pastas, proteins, cornbread and starches. [The pre-game meal should be] very carbohydrate focused with lean sources of protein.”
When game time draws near, Miller gets primed to play his best with Gatorade Prime Energy Chews. He eats them in the locker room just before he takes the field for warm-ups. The Chews supply real, sustainable energy to Miller’s hard-working muscles, helping him make play after game-changing play from the opening kickoff until the game clock reads zero.
“You notice a spike in your performance when you can get the right nutrients and fuel into your body before a game,” Miller says.
To get the energy you need when it’s time to compete, try the following meal, which is inspired by Miller’s game day eating plan.
Grilled Salmon on Wheat (1/4 filet)
A filling sandwich that gives you energy-rich carbs, lean protein and healthy fats (your body’s backup energy source after carbs).
Calories: 449
Fat: 13g
Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 30g
Assorted Fruit (1 cup)
Mixed fruits are high in energy and full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your muscles to function.
Calories: 72
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 18g
Protein: 0g
Gatorade Thirst Quencher (20 oz.)
The combination of carbs and electrolytes provided by this drink can help prevent cramping during a game.
Calories: 125
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 35g
Protein: 0g
Brown Rice (1 cup)
Rice delivers slow-digesting complex carbs to fill your energy stores prior to games.
Calories: 218
Fat: 2g
Carbs: 45g
Protein: 5g
Gatorade Prime Energy Chews
Contains B vitamins, which help athletes maintain their energy throughout activity.
Calories: 100
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 25g