This Is What a Professional Track Athlete Eats for Breakfast
Cory McGee is a two-time member of Team USA living and training in Boston, as a New Balance athlete, with her eyes set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
We don’t need to tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this series, we’re asking top doctors, fitness pros, and dietitians for a sneak peek into their kitchens, so we can see what’s on their breakfast tables.
Photo by Cory McGee
Cory McGee
Claim to Fame:
Originally from Pass Christian, Mississippi, McGee left her southern belle roots to represent New Balance in Boston as a professional track athlete. What better place to kick-off a running career than in one of the nation’s best running cities? She is a graduate from University of Florida, was a two-time NCAA runner-up, six-time SEC champion, and has been a member of Team USA twice. She specializes in the 1500 meter distances and is currently training with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in mind, running an average of 70 miles each week. To break that down for you, that’s at least 10 miles a day.
What She Ate:
She says because she trains at a high intensity many days a week and asks a lot of her body, she has to refuel with food that can support her active lifestyle. “I eat all foods,” she says. “Bread, dairy, even sweets! My diet is packed with fruits and vegetables in each meal, but I concentrate on balance to stay healthy and happy.”
She typically trains at 9 a.m., so she will have a light breakfast about an hour before that. Her go-to includes some hearty bread (she likes local bakers When Pigs Fly) with nut butter, a banana, and of course, plenty of coffee. She will usually eat full-fat yogurt with honey, as well. But that’s not all the runner will eat when it comes to breakfast. She goes for round two after training and loads up on veggies, berries, and eggs.
Why She Chose It:
“Breakfast is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” McGee says. “Without it, my body cannot perform. Breakfast provides me with energy, helps me focus on my training, and gives me a little alone time to think about my big workout before I head to the track or take to the trails.”
