Where to eat – Attention athletes, coaches, and parents attending the TYR Pro Swim in Westmont, IL. The meet is being held at the FMC Natatorium. If you are a swimmer or family member attending this meet be sure to read and save this list. Below are some wonderful, healthy and local places for you to check out near the facility.
Restaurants
Core Life Eatery
1026 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Menu: https://www.corelifeeatery.com/menu
This restaurant is a great choice as their goal is to have the freshest whole foods available. Who doesn’t love a bowl full of superfoods to enhance recovery and fuel your body properly after a day of racing. You can’t go wrong with any of their food options.
· Greek Chicken and Quinoa Bowl
o This bowl has a wonderful lean protein option of Greek grilled chicken.
o Chopped romaine, cucumbers and tomatoes all high in antioxidants and hydration to aid in your recovery.
o Falafel and hummus are good sources of fiber and protein to help support healthy blood
sugar.
o Feta is a great protein that has calcium and minerals that help muscle and nerve function.
o With healthy sauces of tzaktzki and cucumber basil dressing.
· Chicken Tinga Taco Bowl
o Chicken Tinga for a lean protein.
o Purple rice and black beans are healthy forms of carbohydrates.
o Roasted peppers & onions are great sources of vitamin C.
o Chopped romaine and corn are high in Vitamin C as well that help protect your cells from damage.
o Pineapple Pico is loaded with nutrients that also boost immunity and ease digestion.
o Choice of green or red salsa and tortilla strips to top it off for a yummy kick and crunch.
Whole Foods Market
500 East Ogden Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521
Whole foods has a wonderful selection of pre-made sandwiches and meals in their refrigerated section. There is also a hot food bar with great healthy options for lunch and dinner. Here are some things to consider when choosing a meal from the hot bar:
· Remember to include a lean protein, high fiber carbohydrates, vegetables and small amounts of fats. Some examples are:
o Grilled lean meat, grilled vegetables or salad, and baked potatoes.
o Grilled fish, quinoa or brown rice or asparagus.
Citrus Diner
844 East Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559
Menu: https://www.citrusdiner.com/menu-1
Citrus Diner is a great choice for those athletes who love breakfast, as well a healthy sandwich for lunch!
· Avocado Smash
o Poached egg for protein, spinach helps flush out free radicals and decrease inflammation, tomatoes are full of antioxidants and minerals, feta has a good source of protein and calcium, and jalapeno for a little spice.
· Tina Tuna Sandwich
o Albacore tuna salad a great form of lean protein that decrease inflammation.
o Sliced tomato and lettuce aid in hydration and great forms of antioxidant while the avocado
is full of potassium and healthy fats.
o Dofino cheese is known to improve cardiovascular health and circulatory blood flow.
o On 9 grain whole wheat bread.
o Add a healthy side of fruit, coleslaw, or salad
· Pavo Frio Sandwich
o Smoke Turkey is great choice of a lean and easily digestible protein.
o Sliced tomato, lettuce are wonderful forms of antioxidants while mayo and Dofino Cheese is known to improve cardiovascular health and circulatory blood flow.
o On 9 grain whole wheat bread.
o Add a healthy side of fruit, coleslaw, or salad
Standard Market Grill
333 East Ogden Avenue, Westmont, IL, 60559
Menu: https://www.standardmarketgrill.com/lunch-dinner-menu
This restaurant serves farm-fresh meals that are all cooked with fresh ingredients. A wonderful choice lunch and dinner.
· Buddha Bowl
o Choice of protein like Chicken, Tofu, Steak, Salmon. It is better to choose one of the
leaner protein options of chicken or salmon.
o Rice and Quinoa are great forms of carbohydrates full of healthy vitamins and minerals.
o Cooked veggies are great options to get in your greens, vitamins and minerals to aid in
digestion and decrease inflammation.
o Topped with ponzu, chopped peanuts, green onions and sesame seeds.
·
Sandwiches
o Highway 1
§ Shaved Turkey is a great lean protein option.
§ Havarti Cheese improves cardiovascular health and circulatory blood flow. Mustard has healthy antioxidants that help fight damage to protect your body.
§ Avocado full of vitamins C, E, K and B6 as well as healthy fats. Tomato and red onion are great forms of vitamin C.
§ Sprouted wheat bread is a great source of carbohydrates.
o #1 Tuna
§ Seared tuna is another great option of a lean protein that aids in decreasing inflammation.
§ Red onion is full of vitamin c and antioxidants, avocado for healthy fats, topped with coleslaw and ponzu on a sesame bun.
· Faroe Islands Salmon
o Salmon with caramelized onions is a great lean protein that helps decrease inflammation.
o Side of salad to get your greens in with a healthy choice of balsamic dressing.
Fan Pick (for all the wonderful fans sorry athletes!)
For those of you that are not competing, here are some places that you can try!
Island Fin Poke Company
76 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Menu: https://www.islandfinpoke.com/downers-grove/menu/
· If you enjoy a poke bowl this is a must!
· You are able to build your own poke bowl starting with a base of white rice, brown rice or spring salad mix. Then choose from a wide range of protein options like: Ahi Tuna, Spicy Tuna, Salmon and more. After that you choose your mix ins like edamame, corn, sweet onions, jalapenos and og veggies. Finally, you get to choose from a wide variety of marinades and toppings.
***Swimmers if you are going to eat from this restaurant I suggest waiting until after you are completed racing as eating raw fish can lead to stomach issues.
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
921 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
Menu: https://pappadeaux.com/menu/
· Pappadeuax
Seafood Kitchen has a wonderful selection of seafood and steak. Fans be are to indulge in those fried seafood options or even a yummy dessert.
· Live Maine Lobster
o Steamed lobster with linguine pasta and melted butter
· Filet Mignon with a baked potato and broccolini
***Athletes a great choice for you would be the Atlantic Salmon Alexander. This option has an array of protein but if you just ask for the salmon it is a great lean protein option that help aids in recovery and decreases inflammation.
Standard Tacos & Margaritas
333 E. Ogden Ave, Westmont
Menu: http://standardmarket.com/tacos
· Who doesn’t love
Mexican food? At Standard Tacos and Margaritas, I recommend the Fajita Plate, Burrito, Quesadilla or Tacos. There is not bad choice on this menu.
Hotel Options
Swimmers attending this meet will more than likely be having breakfast buffet style at their hotel. It is important to choose breakfast foods with high-carbohydrate and protein combinations. Here are some good breakfast buffet ideas:
· Oatmeal with toppings (banana, nuts, any nut butter, chia seeds, flax seeds etc)
· Eggs with toast along with some oatmeal
· Bagel with nut butter, banana, mixed berries (some sort of fruit option)
· Waffle with eggs and fruit option (banana, apple, berries, orange)
· Don’t forget 10-20 oz of water
If your hotel does not provide breakfast, make sure to stop by the nearest grocery store. Your room should have a microwave and hopefully a fridge. Try one of the above breakfast ideas for a quick easy meal before you head to the pool for prelims.
Pre-Meet & During Meet Fuel!
· Banana
· Orange
· Pack of Honey Stinger Chews
· Superhero Muffin
· Crackers
· Rice Cake
· HU Crackers
· Handful of Grapes
· ½ Lara Bar
· Nuts
· Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
· Hydrate: Water, Nuun Electrolyte Drink, or Harmless Harvest Coconut Water
***Note: Recovery food is very important post-race. Immediately after your last race of
the session be sure to have a protein shake or Bar with equal carbs and equal
protein. Good Options are: Lara Protein, Primal Kitchen Protein Bar and RX
Layers Bar.
This wraps up our restaurant recommendations for the TYR Pro Swim in Westmont, IL. Again, to those of you competing be sure to save this list. We hope you find these recommendations helpful and that they give you the fuel for a successful weekend of racing.
Best of luck to those competing and let us know if you were able to try any of the restaurant suggestions. Be sure to follow @ericabeine on Instagram to learn more about your nutrition needs as an athlete.
