Quick and Easy 5-Ingredient Meals for Young Athletes by Guest Post TrueSport October 28, 2021 | 2 minutes, 50 seconds read Brent Hofacker via Shutterstock Check out more TrueSport video content on the TrueSport SportsEngine Play Channel Are you running out of time to cook dinner at night? Are you grabbing takeout because you didn’t have the ingredients for a complicated meal? Most parents of active children know the struggle of wanting young athletes to eat healthy but having little time to prep meals. That’s why we put together these simple, five-ingredient recipes with the help of TrueSport Expert Kristen Ziesmer, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics.The point of these recipes is to combine healthy pantry staples with a couple fresh or frozen ingredients to create simple meals that are ready in minutes. And many of these meals actually feature similar ingredients, so you can easily make meals that look and taste different with only a dozen ingredients in total.IngredientsFirst, let's talk about your shopping list. Consider creating a master list that you take with you to the store every week. This list can have all of your normal breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack staples so you're not constantly trying to remember what you need.For dinners, consider adding these favorites from Ziesmer to your list:Pantry: Brown rice, canned black beans, Italian seasoning, chili or taco seasoning, canned salsa, high-quality tomato soup, olive oilFrozen: Broccoli, peppers, onions, stir fry-ready mixed vegetables, sprouted bread (can buy fresh but if you don't use much bread, frozen is a longer lasting option)Fresh: Chicken, salmon, greens, any fresh vegetables that you won't mind chopping and prepping, a good-quality shredded cheese TrueSport supports athletes, parents, and coaches. Discover how > About TrueSport TrueSport®, a movement powered by the experience and values of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, champions the positive values and life lessons learned through youth sport. TrueSport inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sport through active engagement and thoughtful curriculum based on cornerstone lessons of sportsmanship, character-building, and clean and healthy performance, while also creating leaders across communities through sport. For more expert-driven articles and materials, visit TrueSport’s comprehensive library of resources. This content was reproduced in partnership with TrueSport. Any content copied or reproduced without TrueSport and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s express written permission would be in violation of our copyright, and subject to legal recourse. To learn more or request permission to reproduce content, click here. Read more nutrition articles How to Fuel a Picky Eater Helping a picky eater choose healthy foods can be challenging at times. Here are six ways parents can ensure that their athletes are getting the nutrients they need to develop and perform at their best. 5 Things to Know About Branched Chain Amino Acids Kristen Ziesmer, a registered dietitian,, explains everything you need to know about branched chain amino acids and the role they play in athlete nutrition. Myth Busters: Why Athletes Don’t Need Protein Powders Are protein powders right for your athlete? What health benefits do they provide? Find out in this article from TrueSport. 10 Healthy Team Snacks for Kids’ Sports Ditch the chips and cookies and bring these healthier team snacks to your child's game instead How to Recognize and Repair Iron and Vitamin D Nutrient Deficiencies in Young Athletes Iron and vitamin D are two common athlete nutrient deficiencies that can have a big impact on athletic performance and overall health. Top 3 Nutrient Deficiencies in Teens With so much going on with teens, it can be hard to prioritize a healthy nutrition plan and that can sometimes lead to certain nutrient deficiencies. View More Read the Rest of the Article at TrueSport tags in this article Nutrition Parent Recipes TrueSport