USA Swimming is kicking off the new year with their first stop of the TYR Pro Swim Series at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The meet is January 11-14, 2023, and I have some healthy Knoxville eats to share with you if you are making the trip to this competition. Most of these recommendations have come from Sarah Collins a former BWB Team member and I revamped them so you all can try something new! Knoxville is a popular place for USA Swimming meets to be hosted. Not only are they perfect for those competing, coaching and/or spectating down south this week, but it’s an amazing resource for swimmers racing to keep for future reference. You can also check out the SEC Championship Eats Knoxville by Sarah at the Free Resources on the Beine Wellness Building website to look for more places to eat or at the link below.
https://beinewellnessbuilding.net/sec-championship-eats-knoxville-tn/
Farmacy
5018 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN 37919
Farmacy is a local restaurant that has quick and fresh prepared meals that are all made from scratch. All their food is from local suppliers. They have amazing choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their hours are Tuesday through Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday for brunch 10am-3pm and dinner 3-9pm, as well as Sunday brunch from 9am-3pm. So, this is a perfect place to stop by if you like to have brunch after a morning session instead of lunch or any meal. Here are some things on the menu worth trying.
Vitality Bowl
If you love any type of bowl like me you should try this Vitality Bowl with corn, black beans, hash, avocado, tomato, feta, radish, red onion, sprouts, grilled chicken, and a fried egg on arugula greens. It’s a delicious way to get nutrients post racing. Avocado and the fried egg are full of healthy fats and omega 3’s and you also consume tons of easily digestible vegetables and have a lean source of protein from the chicken.
Enlightened Bowl
Another great option of a bowl to have at Farmacy. The Enlightened Bowl has wild arugula, edamame, sprouts, red onion, carrots, cucumbers, wonton, avocado and chopped salmon. There are plenty of vegetables to help aid recovery after racing and omega 3’s from the salmon to help decrease inflammation. It is so yummy with salmon on top, but I am sure you can always ask for a different protein option as well.
Maple- Pecan Salmon
This dinner dish is a perfect way to help boost your recovery after an evening finals session. This meal has Chilean salmon with maple-pecan glaze, (you can always ask for it without if you don’t like any glaze) and is served with browned butter green beans and sweet potato hash. The green beans are a yummy vegetable side, and the sweet potato hash is a great light form of carbohydrates to fuel your body in the evening without being too heavy.
Tulepo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
1 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37909
If you love Southern comfort food then Tulepo Honey is a place for you to try. They also have great brunch, lunch, and dinner options for swimmers and their families for a wonderful recovery meal post racing. If you make it to Tulepo honey, be sure to try these healthy options!
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi is a popular fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids to help decrease inflammation and is grilled with creole butter making it a healthier choice. It comes with a choice of two sides; I would choose the Salt & Pepper Crispy Brussels as a good vegetable and then the Parmesan & Rosemary Potato Cracklings as a carbohydrate.
Lemon Garden Party
This big bowl salad has arugula and mixed greens paired with a lemon herb dressing and topped with cucumbers, radishes, feta cheese crumbles and toasted almonds. There is an option to add grilled chicken or shrimp to get a good lean source of protein. Feel free to change the dressing if lemon herb doesn’t call your name. The dressings are all made from scratch. You could ask for a side to get in a good source of carbohydrates as well.
Avocado Toast & Eggs
I love a good avocado toast and eggs, which I think most swimmers do! This meal comes with smashed avocado, which is a good source of healthy fats, crumbled feta cheese, paprika, and sriracha honey drizzle on a multi-grain bread with two sunny side up eggs on top. The perfect brunch for after a hard race to fill you up until lunch or dinner.
Olibea
211 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Olibea is a fun breakfast restaurant with wonderful coffee that is located in Old City, which is known for its music scene, restaurants, and new brewery. Parents if you want to stop there it’s a great option for you pre and post swim meet. Here are some food recommendations from Olibea.
Breakfast Burrito
The breakfast burrito has manchamanteles chicken, bacon, potato, egg, cheese and coloradito.
Heirloom Grain Bowl
This grain bowl has sea island red peas, mountain roots farm greens, herby champagne vinaigrette, sweet potato fritz with geechie boy corn/hash cake. I’m sure you could also ask for a fried egg or some chicken on the side to add protein.
#BrunchGoals Salad
If you are looking for something on the lighter side or have the morning off from racing this salad is a delicious choice. This salad has mountain roots farm greens, pickled red onions, mushroom ‘bacon’, twelve-minute egg, sea island pea hummus, avocado, and tahini dressing.
Cava
6638 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
CAVA is another great option similar to chipotle, but Mediterranean style with customizable greens and grain bowls. It’s a must try because you can create your own bowl and it’s another quick option for in between prelims and finals! I love it better than Chipotle!
Build your own bowl
Choose from a wide variety of bases, three dips & spreads, protein, and your favorite toppings and dressings to make the perfect bowl for you! Below is an example of building your own bowl.
-Greens & Grains bowl a mix of grains and salad greens
-Dips and Spreads: Hummus with chickpeas, tahini no, lemon, fresh garlic and salt
Tzatziki with Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, and spice
-Protein: Grilled Chicken with lemon, oregano, salt, and pepper
-Toppings: Crumbled Feta, Pita Crisps, Shredded Romaine, Avocado
Blossom Bowls
9420 S NorthShore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37922
Blossom bowls is a great healthy place for snacks, smoothies or acai bowls in between breakfast and lunch or as a treat for after you race! They have a ton of signature acai bowls, or you can always make your own. Here are a couple signature bowls to choose from.
Blossom Bowl
Base: Acai, Pitaya, Coconut
Toppings: Banana, Strawberry, Granola, Almond Butter, Chia Seeds, Honey
Bali Bowl
Base: Blue Majic, Mango, Coconut
Toppings: Pineapple, Strawberry, Kiwi, Coconut Flakes, Flax Seeds, Agave
Hope you enjoyed our updated Knoxville eats for the TYR Pro Swim Series. Wishing all athletes the best of luck competing next week! As always let us know if you were able to make it to any of these restaurants and how you liked them by posting a photo on your instagram story and tagging @ericabeine.
