Team decisions on food at the championship: value and surprise
The importance of nutrition in major football was clearly demonstrated this year by the Norwegian national team. Returning to the championship after a long break, the team surprised with unusual logistics – they brought over 500 kilograms of food from home to their base in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to a press release.
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Among the products – hundreds of kilograms of Atlantic salmon and white fish, 180 kilograms of traditional Norwegian cheeses. The decision that sparked discussions on social media is not a whim, but part of a strict nutrition plan designed to maintain players’ form during several intense weeks of competition.
The Norwegians are not the only ones. Several teams participating in the championship this year brought their own chefs, dietitians, and dietary habits. For example, the Argentine camp, which reached the final, does not do without asado – a traditional Argentine (and generally South American) ritual of grilling meat over coals, a kind of Argentine barbecue. The meat is seasoned minimally, often only with salt, to reveal its natural flavor, and is cooked slowly and patiently.
The dietitian of the Spanish national team playing in the final revealed that among the players’ favorite dishes are carbonara pasta, and for dessert, they often choose the Spaniards’ beloved “arroz con leche” – rice cooked in milk with sugar and cinnamon, resembling a soft rice pudding.
Interestingly, the kitchen set up at the Brazilian base even had a protein ice cream machine, designed for individualized player nutrition. And the English team, which came to the USA with their own chef, got into a curious situation before the championship – in Florida, the team’s chef was not allowed to board a train because he was carrying kitchen knives.
For fans – favorite recipes of Lithuanian football players
Lithuanian national team footballers also have their nutrition secrets – their signature recipes are perfect for those preparing for the final evening.
“We promote an active lifestyle in various ways – whether it’s walking competitions or our supported Lithuanian football, which unites everyone: from children chasing the ball to seniors full of energy and professional national team players. The World Cup final is a great opportunity to gather with friends or family, and for the celebration in front of the screen, it’s not necessary to choose only fast food – the national team players’ recipes show that tasty and healthy can go hand in hand,” says Gintarė Kitovė, head of communications at the retail network.
Defender Justas Lasickas’ beef tortillas with vegetables
National team defender J. Lasickas’ favorite dish is not only simple and tasty but also economical and perfectly suitable for eating in front of the screen.
Ingredients:
- 500 g minced beef,
- 80–100 g tomato sauce,
- tortilla wraps,
- salsa or favorite sauce (e.g., barbecue),
- shredded cabbage,
- 50 g canned corn,
- 1 fresh cucumber (or other favorite vegetables).
Preparation:
Heat a pan and add the minced beef. Cook while stirring until the meat turns brown.
Pour in the tomato sauce and let the meat simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 100 °C and briefly warm the tortilla wraps – they will become soft and slightly crispy.
Spread a little salsa or other favorite sauce on the tortilla wraps. Add the cooked beef, season with vegetables – fresh cabbage, corn, and cucumber (you can experiment with other vegetables or sauces).
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Roll up the tortilla, secure with toothpicks, and serve immediately while warm.
Midfielder Vykintas Slivka’s Okinawa taco rice
Midfielder V. Slivka, who played in Japan, discovered a dish that became a phenomenon in that country – taco rice, born when US soldiers stationed in Okinawa missed Mexican-American flavors. The combination of Japanese and Mexican cuisines is perfect for a football evening.
Ingredients:
- 200 g Japanese short-grain rice,
- 250 g ground chicken,
- 2 tomatoes,
- ½ red onion,
- ½ cup corn (canned or frozen),
- 100 g pickled Jalapeño peppers,
- 1 avocado,
- ½ lime,
- ½ cup grated cheese,
- 1 teaspoon oil,
- 1 teaspoon salt,
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) chili spice mix.
Preparation:
Rice. Rinse it several times and pour about 240 ml of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes. Let stand for another 10 minutes.
Chicken. Heat oil in a pan, add the ground meat, and fry until browned. Season with salt and chili spices.
Salsa. Dice the tomatoes and mix with chopped onion. Stir in corn, Jalapeño peppers, and diced avocado. Drizzle with lime juice and season with salt.
Assemble: put rice in a bowl, top with cooked chicken, add fresh salsa, sprinkle with cheese, and enjoy.
Defender Pijus Širvys’ healthier pizza (carb-free and gluten-free)
Pizza is probably the most popular dish for a football evening. National team defender P. Širvys proves that it can be baked much healthier: he replaces the traditional crust with grainy cottage cheese.
Ingredients:
- 200 g grainy cottage cheese,
- 2 eggs,
- 60 g gluten-free flour mix,
- favorite spices (e.g., garlic, salt, pepper).
Favorite toppings, e.g.: tomato sauce, mozzarella, salami, tomatoes, mushrooms, bell pepper.
Preparation:
Put the grainy cottage cheese, eggs, flour, and spices into a bowl, mix, and spread the mixture onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Shape it into a pizza crust.
Bake at 180 degrees for 12–15 minutes with ventilation – watch that the crust browns evenly and lightly.
Then take it out, spread tomato sauce, arrange sliced toppings, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for another 3–5 minutes in the oven.
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Enjoy!
