What’s good food for players competing at the Women’s World Cup?

The food top athletes eat is well thought through on nutritional and performance values. Most likely, we will learn more from reporting on the favorite food of the 32 competing teams.

So we were thinking: what food, and ingredients, work well with our culinary argan oil, and created the first recipe: Grilled Tomatoes

3 Teams of lionesses compete & eat

‘Lionesses’ are the dominating nickname on the playing fields in Australia and New Zealand; representing England, Morocco, and The Netherlands. Brazil has its ‘Canaries’, Nigeria its ‘Super Falcons’, and the Norway team is called ‘Grasshoppers’.

For the first time, the ‘Atlas Lionesses’, the Moroccan women’s team, are present at the Women’s World Cup.

Lionesses have a very diverse diet – mostly meat and are the hunters of the family. Occasionally, they eat grass too. Tomatoes, Watermelons are not on their list. But they are on ours, in this recipe. While shopping on the market, we came across 2 types of tomatoes with a female name: Daniella and Gabriella. That’s when we decide to create a dish with Tomatoes.

Why tomatoes?

Did you know Tomatoes are considered a highly nutritious and versatile fruit -though often treated and cooked as a vegetable? Tomatoes offer a wide array of health benefits and are an excellent addition to a balanced diet.

Here are some reasons why tomatoes are considered good for you:

1. Rich in Nutrients: Tomatoes are a good source of essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, and folate.
2. Antioxidant Content: Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, particularly lycopene, which gives them a vibrant red color. Lycopene is associated with various health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.
3. Heart Health: The potassium and fiber in tomatoes can support heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
4. Skin Health: The vitamin C and antioxidants in tomatoes contribute to healthy skin and may protect against sun damage.
5. Hydration: Tomatoes have a high water content, which can help keep you hydrated.
6. Low in Calories: Tomatoes are relatively low in calories, making them a great option for those watching their weight.

Tomatoes can be enjoyed in various ways, such as in salads, sauces, soups, or simply eaten raw. For this athlete recipe, we also chose eggs.

Eggs are a very nutritious food that can help athletes; it contains high-quality proteins, a profile of fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals involved in energy, in defense against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Ilham, our Rabat-based Chef, grilled tomatoes to perfection, added scrambled eggs, and served on lightly toasted multigrain bread.

Lionesses don’t eat watermelons -but we do.

Watermelon is a great fruit choice for all, not only elite athletes. It’s healthy food and has, like tomatoes, lots of Lycopene. And

lycopene is a natural antioxidant that helps to lower the risk of diseases. Vitamin C is another antioxidant watermelons provide. Magnesium and potassium: check, they are in watermelons as well. Watermelons contain a lot of water, about 92%, which helps to hydrate. Are Low-calorie, fat, and cholesterol free and it also doesn’t spike sugar levels.

We just don’t know of any great-tasting, nutritious recipes with watermelons and culinary argan oil.

Hello, I’m Ilhan, living in Rabat where I study law. I love cooking and enjoy cooking even more while listening to music. It’s my pleasure to use fresh ingredients, sourced from the farmer’s market. Hope you like my dishes! contact me: recipes@culinaryarganoil.com.