Berries...Nutritional Cobblestones

As 2010 runs in, it's time to take a step back from the powders, and bars, and gels and not forget the nutritional cobblestones of a healthy active body...powerful antioxidant rich real food!  Research has shown that individuals participating in pre-event training tend to have a lower immune defense system and increased risk of muscular damage.  In light of this, antioxidant rich foods like strawberries and blueberries are key to a pre-training diet to help minimize muscle damage, regulate inflammation, and enhance the body's natural immune system against disease.  For an athlete it is ideal to get 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day.  A serving of strawberries and blueberries is one cup fresh or ½ c. dried fruit.

At McDonald's the fruit and yogurt parfait is a perfect combination of creamy low fat yogurt and antioxidant rich strawberries and blueberries.  You can choose it with or without low-fat granola on top.  A 7 oz parfait with granola has 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein.  It is also a significant source of Vitamin C and economically priced on the dollar menu!  So while preparing your muscles for the marathon don't just think about the energy you are putting out with training but also train your body from the inside with wholesome antioxidant rich foods.  Extensive nutritional information is available on all menu items both in McDonald's restaurants and on-line to make it easy for customers to stay well informed.  Please visit http://www.mcdonalds.com for more information.

--Shaye Arluk, McDonald's Nutritional Consultant