When you’re on the road or looking for a healthy option before or after a game, you might ask is Cava healthy for athletes? Cava is a popular fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant that offers a variety of health and delicious customizable bowls, salads, and pita wraps. It’s a great option for athletes who are looking for a fast, convenient, and healthy meal. In this article, we will explore why Cava is a great choice for athletes and provide tips on how to make your Cava order even healthier to support your sports nutrition goals.
Customizable and Nutrient-Dense Options
Cava’s menu customization allows athletes to create meals that align with their specific dietary needs and sports nutrition goals. With a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients, Cava bowls have gained popularity among athletes as a pre-practice, pre-game, and post-game refueling option.
Health Benefits of Cava’s Menu
Cava offers a diverse range of healthy options, including salads, grain bowls, wraps, and pitas. These meals are rich in carbohydrates, lean protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, providing athletes with the necessary nutrients for optimal performance and recovery.
Choosing the Best Cava Orders for Athletes
To maximize the health benefits of your Cava order, it’s important to make informed choices. The best Cava orders for athletes are those that are high in carbohydrate, moderate in protein and fiber, low in healthy fats, and packed with colorful vegetables.
Build a Base with Grains
Athletes should opt for a grains base when building their Cava bowl for pre-game meal fueling or post-game refueling. Grains like brown rice, RightRice®, basmati saffron rice, and lentils are excellent sources of carbohydrates, providing energy for optimal performance. They also offer protein and fiber, aiding in muscle recovery and digestion.
Build a Base with a Pita Wrap
Another high-carbohydrate healthy meal option for athletes is a Cava pita made with sprouted grains. If you prefer a sandwich instead of a Cava bowl, this is a good option for you. You can build your own pita and stuff it full of protein, veggies, sides, and dressings.
Also Read: Are Fritos Gluten-Free
Build a Base with Salad (and Half Grains)
Cava offers a selection of greens that are chock full of antioxidants and fiber. Options such as arugula, SuperGreens, baby spinach, romaine, and Splendid Greens® provide vitamins and minerals necessary for athletic performance. Consider combining greens with half grains for a balanced option.
Add a Lean Protein
Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth. Cava offers a variety of proteins, including grilled or roasted chicken, lamb, falafel, and spicy lamb meatballs. Opt for lean protein sources like grilled chicken or braised lamb to meet your protein needs without excessive fat.
Dollop with Dips and Spreads
Enhance the flavor of your Cava bowl with healthy dips and spreads. Options like hummus, tzatziki, harissa, crazy feta, eggplant & red pepper, and roasted red pepper hummus add extra taste and spice to your meal.
Choose Vegetable and Crunchy Toppings
Cava offers a variety of vegetable and crunchy toppings to round out your bowl. These include shredded romaine, pita crisps, cabbage slaw, tomato + onion, Persian cucumber, tomato + cucumber, Kalamata olives, lentil tabbouleh, pickled onions, salt-brined pickles, crumbled feta, fire-roasted corn, and avocado. These toppings provide added nutrients and texture to your meal.
Kids Meal Option
For those looking for a smaller portion or a quick meal between games, Cava offers a kids’ meal. With the same customizable choices as a regular meal, you can add carrot sticks and milk to ensure a well-rounded and nutritious option.
Conclusion:
Cava’s menu provides many healthy options for athletes. By customizing your order to include a grains base, lean protein, colorful vegetables, and healthy dips and spreads, you can create a nutrient-dense meal that supports your athletic performance and recovery. Remember to be mindful of high-sodium, high-calorie, and high-fat toppings and experiment with new foods on practice or rest days rather than game days. Enjoy the healthy and delicious offerings at Cava while fueling your active lifestyle.
