Alexandra Krieger was a pro soccer player, having competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics, among other competitions. “DC Fun x USWNT Send-Off 🇺🇸☀️❤️,” she said on Instagram as she posted highlights of her time there. The pro likes to balance life with staying in shape and meeting challenges head on. What healthy habits did she develop as a professional athlete? Here’s what we found!
1. She avoids big workouts right before a game
Before a game, she finds it best to avoid pushing herself too hard. “I woke up at home knowing that my National Women's Soccer League team — Washington Spirit — had an away game the following day. I avoid intense activity the day before games, and so I end up eating a little bit lighter than usual,” she said. She said in an article on Muscle and Fitness, “I love going to the beach and paddleboarding—or at least trying to,” she said. “It’s very refreshing when I can get away and do ‘normal’ day-to-day things with my closest friends and loved ones.”
2. She makes time for breakfast
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She eats breakfast, but keeps it pretty light for the most part. “Today, I had a homemade breakfast of oatmeal with berries and an almond milk latte with cinnamon. I also made a protein smoothie to take with me to practice at the field, so I could refuel my muscles and rehydrate right afterward,” she said. According to Better Health, “improves your energy levels and ability to concentrate in the short term, and can help with better weight management, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the long term.”
3. She has a balanced meal
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She aims to keep her meals healthy and balanced. “When I travel with my national team, there is typically a buffet with chicken, fish, pasta — anything you'd want, really — where you can put together your meal yourself. I'll usually do some kind of pasta with fish or chicken and veggies; tonight, I had grilled chicken with brown rice and Brussels sprouts,” she said.
4. She loves a good smoothie
She drinks smoothies packed with fruits and veggies. “After training, I drank the smoothie that I'd stashed in a fridge at the field. I made it with ZICO coconut water, a handful of kale, ½ cup of frozen mangos, ½ cup of frozen strawberries, half a frozen banana, and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, which is my go-to recipe,” she said.
5. She has healthy options while traveling
She likes to pack healthy snacks to have on hand. “I packed some mixed nuts to snack on while traveling to Portland, Oregon, for the next day's game. Unless I know the airport we're leaving from sells food I like — like good smoothies — I usually take food with me to avoid snacking on the wrong things and deviating from my routine,” she said.
