My local co-op grocery store has been featuring microgreens from several local farmers this winter. They have made a delicious addition to our winter salads, sandwiches, omelets and frittatas. I especially like the mixes which contain spicy radish greens.

I first learned about microgreens at the farmer’s market in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Microgreens are plant seedlings that are harvested one to two weeks after germination. They have two cotyledon leaves, the leaves that first appear when a plant sprouts. They have a crispy texture and the flavor varies from mild to spicy depending on the type of seed.

The Alabama growers were excited to promote microgreens as nutritional powerhouses. It turns out that nutritional research supports this enthusiasm. Dr. Carolyn F. Weber, of Des Moines University, found that microgreens (in this study from broccoli) have more magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc than mature vegetables. She said that you could eat about 40% less broccoli microgreens than broccoli florets for the same amount of nutrients.

The nutrient content of microgreens is influenced by how they are grown. Dr. Weber found that microgreens grown in compost were more nutritious than microgreens grown hydroponically. Being plants, microgreens are also sources of the polyphenolic compounds that act as anti-oxidants for our cells. Scientists are finding that the anti-oxidant concentration can be changed by manipulating the type and duration of light the seedlings receive.

Food scientists are very interested in microgreens because they can contribute a lot of nutrition without a lot of input. They require about half the water of a full grown vegetable, and do not need pesticides. There is even the possibility of growing microgreens in space to provide vital food sources of anti-oxidants for astronauts!

Microgreens can be a great addition for the winter sport athlete. The vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidant compounds support your immune system and help combat inflammation. As noted above, I have used them on sandwiches (pictured below), on salads, and in egg dishes. Other suggestions include sprinkling onto a just baked pizza or a bowl of soup. They would also work well in smoothies.

​ Let me know how you use your microgreens on the Snowtrition Facebook group!

© 2018 Kathleen Searles, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD

​Participants started at 3 AM with a 3 mile mountain bike ride covering 3,100 vertical feet. From there they watched the sunrise and skied the Fourth of July bowl, noted for snow that lingers into summer. This was followed with a 10 K run and then a 25 mile lap of the Firecracker 50 mountain bike race (which covers 4,000 vertical feet). 

The approximately 12 hour day culminated with a traditional Fourth of July picnic.  Participants touted their anticipation of celebrating the finish with an ice cold beer. My sports nutritionist mind thinks recovery, so I started brainstorming which picnic foods would be helpful. 

What's a Fourth of July picnic without a burger? Recovery foods provide fluids, electrolytes, carbs, and protein. A burger is a great source of protein plus carbohydrates from the bun. Alternatively, grilled chicken and some pasta salad would provide protein and carbs. For vegetarians, baked beans would do the trick. These foods will also provide some sodium and potassium.

A great picnic food choice is watermelon. It has a high water content, carbs, and antioxidant carotenoids including lycopene. Training at altitude and competing in endurance events both create oxidative stress, and dietary antioxidants may decrease inflammation and improve immune function.

But what about the beer? A couple of years ago, scientists at the University of Granada in Spain decided to see if beer was effective for rehydrating athletes.  They found that up to 660 ml (about two 12 ounce servings) of regular beer (4.5% alcohol content) along with water as desired to meet thirst was as effective as just water for rehydrating. Compared to sports drinks beer does not have as much carbohydrate or sodium, so try adding a salty snack like some chips or pretzels.

So, if you are like Joe Howdyshell, who says, “Me and some of my friends like to do these crazy adventure things,” go for it and have fun with your nutritional recovery too!

​© 2017 Kathleen Searles, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD