Photo: John McDonnell/THE WASHINGTON POST
Very excited to read this in a Washington Post piece on the National’s Jayson Werth.
The numerous ideas that stuck became tangible symbols of Werth’s off-field impact. In the clubhouse kitchen, no longer does a cook make whatever players ask for. A chef trained in nutrition informs players how much sodium, fat or Vitamin A they should be eating.
“We’ve gone from probably the worst food in the league to the best food,” Werth said. “It’s more about nutrition. If you owned a racehorse, on the way to the race, would you stop at a fast-food restaurant and expect that horse to win?”
And
Werth told the Nationals about Robert Pastore, who describes himself on his Web site as a “biochemical detective.” Pastore analyzes a patient’s blood to determine what nutrients a person has in abundance or lacks. Based on his findings, he prescribes a diet intended to correct those imbalances and, ultimately, prevent injury.
In an age where professional athletes make millions promoting junk food through endorsements (I read that a local pro athlete has attributed his mid season turn around to kool-aid) …it is so refreshing not only to read about how Werth made the Nationals change their food culture but also to shift their medical approach from treatment to prevention. Micronutrients are so important not only to pro-athletes but also to our everyday functions as average people.
