Sports Nutrition - Introducing Sharon Laws
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by Julie @realfoodsource & Sharon Laws @sharonlaws
More and more the RealFoodSource products are being used by athletes who believe in natural, unprocessed real foods for their diet so we are really excited to introduce the cyclist Sharon Laws and have her guest blog for us this month and sharing her love of our hemp protein with some great recipes.
Sharon is 41 and has been a full time athlete since 2008. Back in 2008 whilst working in her office job in Melbourne, she decided to enter the Australian Road Race and finished second. Team GB then got in touch and asked her to take a sabbatical to race in Europe and that same year she competed in the Beijing Olympic Games in support of Nicole Cooke and never went back to the office job! In addition to a number of UCI podiums her career highlights include;
- Winner of the Mountain Jersey Friends Life Women’s Tour, UK 2014
- Represented Great Britain in the road race World Championships between 2008 and 2012
- 1st National Road Champion 2012
- 3rd in the Worlds Team Time Trial 2012
- Representing Great Britain in the Commonwealth Games in 2010
- 1st in the National Time Trial Champion 2008
Over to Sharon...
As a full time athlete I understand the importance that my diet has on my performance both good and bad. As a vegetarian getting the protein I need is critical particularly in heavy training periods or after races when extra protein is necessary to assist in the repair and recovery process after exercise. This is where hemp protein products are such a great addition.
Hemp is one of my favourite protein sources because it is a complete protein containing all eight essential amino acids, it is easily digested unlike other non-dairy protein sources such as soy, and it is high in fibre and low in saturated fat.
Two tablespoons of hemp contain 13-15g of protein include the important BCAA’s (branch chain amino acids) these are the fuel that muscles burn for energy. Hemp is also rich in omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease.
Hemp is also extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. RealFoodSource have two hemp protein powders, one with 50% protein and the other with 72% protein. Here are two of my favourite Hemp protein inspired recipes that are delicious and so easy to make
As an athlete eating sufficient protein immediately after intensive training is important, but this is not always that easy as you often don’t feel that hungry.
I’ve solved this problem by coming up with a recipe for banana-hemp recovey ice cream which is so delicious I can’t wait to get back from my ride to eat it! It's also perfect in hot weather as it helps cool me down.