Fuel your game with kickin’ cuisine from Malta and Chef Asia Thomas

They say a healthy outside starts from the inside. And nothing should ring truer for young athletes playing the field. Bridging this internal and external gap with nutrition, Malta joined forces with Professional Football Jamaica Limited to host the ‘Kickin’ Cuisine To Fuel Your Game’ event at The Summit over the weekend.

With the goal to nourish champions in mind, the brand invited a number of under-17 footballers from prominent clubs, such as Arnett Gardens, Waterhouse, Portmore United, and Harbour View, just to name a few.

“After doing research on what would be substantial for an athletic kind of lifestyle, I came up with two dishes. I made a quinoa salad with grilled chicken and pineapples. We also gave those in attendance a tuna salad. They had the option of either placing the nutritious contents in a sandwich using wholewheat bread or in spinach wrap,” Chef Asia Thomas told Food.

The attentive audience listened keenly to the presenters before putting the theory to test by building their own meals. Each and every bite taken, accompanied by smiles, was profound proof that nutrition can be scrumptious too.

With six years of culinary experience in the field, Chef Thomas found that with the right mindset, you are able to get the proper nutrients with ingredients that you have around the house, and enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

Chef Thomas was joined by sports science expert Rohan Francis, who encouraged a holistic approach to daily consumption from a theoretical standpoint.

Francis spoke on the matter of balanced diet, highlighting the importance of engaging with the food groups of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables in a wholesome fashion. “Without proper nutrition, there is no fitness. So our aim was to start that conversation, giving them a better understanding on the topic and showing them the way going forward.”

From there, Chef Thomas presented tasty options for attendees to try – and savour.

It was significant to note that both experts were grateful that the turnout included not just athletes, but their parents and siblings as well. By providing the heads of the households with the necessary knowledge and tools, the plan is to change their outlook and have a positive impact on the daily lives of the families.

According to Malta Brand Manager Jodi-Ann Campbell, this discussion on the role of nutrition for footballers and athletes across the island exceeded their expectations.

“This fulsome initiative is a partnership with the Professional Football Jamaica Limited for an under-17 developmental programme, to train them in different areas. We found, as Malta, that there are areas that aren’t touched on that are needed to take their skills to a higher level. Nutrition is one of them.”

In this programme, it was vital to aid in the children’s development and support the parents on this journey.

CHEF THOMAS CHICKEN QUINOA SALAD

INGREDIENT

1 cooked chicken breast

1 cup of quinoa

Half-cup of diced pineapples

Diced sweet pepper (to taste)

Diced onions (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

In a small pot, add the quinoa with one-and-a-half cups of water and a tablespoon of oil, preferably olive oil. Leave it to boil on medium heat for 10 minutes. Then turn it down on low heat for five to seven minutes, watching and fluffing as you go along. Combine the quinoa with the diced pineapples, sweet pepper and onions and then enjoy. You can add your own dressing.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com