MLS Unites

How Minnesota United's dietician is keeping player nutrition on track during layoff

Minnesota United - 2020 - group shot

EDITOR'S NOTE:Through MLS Unites, MLS and its clubs are looking to do their part in making a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. With most of us stuck at home, it can be hard to keep up healthy habits. Teams, players and staffers are here to share some ideas to help fans pull it off.




Maintaining healthy habits in terms of fitness and nutrition isn't an easy task in social isolation, but teams around MLS are doing what they can to keep their players on track.


Minnesota United dietician Angela Bruzina gave a glimpse into some of what the club is facing in that regard in a Saturday story in the Star Tribune, going over some of the steps and protocol she's provided players to try and keep them on track.


To hear Bruzina tell it, she's less worried about players gaining weight from the occasional dessert-baking ventures she's seen a few of them posting about on social media, but rather more about players losing weight and muscle while they're unable to train at full capacity as a group.


"They're not getting the same kind of stimulus," Bruzina told the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda. "Hopefully, we can give the guys the tools so they don't lose weight and muscle."


The Loons are using an app called Nutritics that has a different daily theme to help players plan out their meals. One example is "Kitchen-Tip Tuesdays," which has recipes and videos that players can follow for their meal preparation. The club is also having Wednesday video conferences that allow them to plan meals and also have some much-needed social interaction that they're currently missing out on.


Give Zgoda's whole story a read here.

How Minnesota United's dietician is keeping player nutrition on track during layoff -