Issue 167

Life as a professional fighter can be incredibly time consuming. The old phrase, ‘There’s not enough hours in a day,’ really rings true, especially when you’re often training up to three times a day during a fight camp. So when they get a chance to fit a meal in, fighters usually do, without perhaps thinking about the consequences. 

When some boffin came up with the fantastic idea for a cereal bar – an entire breakfast in shiny wrapping – fighters rejoiced. Finally, a way to have something healthy and filled with nutrients whilst on the go. What's not to love?

However, scientists have broken the hearts of legions of mixed martial artists, as the cereal bar that many believed would help keep their energies up as they cut weight, is actually doing the opposite and is more a ticking time-bomb of unhealthy sugars.

Reports from consumer group Which? state that out of the 30 cereal bars tested, only one of them wasn’t high in sugar, whilst 16 of them had more than 30% sugar.

For instance, one of the best selling cereal bars in the market actually contains close to four tablespoons of sugar, which is more than a small can of cola! Indeed, most of the bars had added sugar.

So, for the fighters who are trying to be efficient and cram a meal down before they go and train, our advice is to wake up early and make a nutrient and energy-heavy breakfast. It could mean the difference between making weight when it matters