Two Local Nutritionists Wrote a Healthy Cookbook for Athletes

Tara Mardigan, left, and Kate Weiler, right. Photos provided to bostonmagazine.com

Two local health professionals—nutritionist Tara Mardigan and sports nutritionist and DrinkMaple cofounder Kate Weiler—have teamed up to write Real Fit Kitchen: Fuel Your Body, Improve Your Energy, and Increase Strength With Every Meal, a healthy cookbook for the at-home chef.

The book, which will be released October 1 and is available for pre-order now, draws on Mardigan’s time as team nutritionist for the Red Sox and Weiler’s marathon, triathlon, and Iron Woman experience to produce 100 recipes for athletes of all levels. In addition to recipes like sweet potato patties, chard salad, and cinnamon pecan nut butter, the book includes tips for balanced eating, healthy pantry staples, and homemade alternatives to highly processed sports drinks and supplements.

“Real Fit Kitchen is a cookbook intended for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and couch potatoes—it captures everyone,” Mardigan says. “We focus on real ingredients, simple preparations, and less on following strict nutrition numbers and calories.”

Below, a sample recipe from the book:

Cookie Dough Recovery Balls

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups raw cashews

2 teaspoons maca

1 tablespoon natural brown rice protein powder

4 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup raw cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips

Directions

Blend the cashews, maca, protein powder, maple syrup, and vanilla in a high-performance blender or food processor. Do not overprocess; the mixture should have the consistency of cookie dough.

Form 12 balls with the mixture by rolling it between your hands. Roll each ball in cacao nibs or chocolate chips.

Refrigerate or put the balls in zip-lock bags and store in the freezer.

Cookie Dough Recovery Balls.