Pork for Peak Performance
Through our Pork for Peak Performance program, Manitoba's pork industry provides financial and nutritional support to many of Manitoba’s elite athletes and sports organizations.
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Manitoba’s Pork for Peak Performance program partners include:
When possible, we enjoy rewarding athletes for determination, success, and community citizenship. Our monthly
Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month certificate is awarded to players within the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, as well as athletes of the Canadian Sports Centre of Manitoba.
Lean cuts of pork are a protein of choice for Olympic hopefuls, elite athletes, and promising amateurs. Optimal nutrition is a key to achieving their best, and protein is vital to maintaining health and achieving training success.
The Power of Protein
- Protein regulates important body functions and helps form body structures.
- Pork is an excellent source of high-quality protein. It contains sufficient amounts of all nine essential amino acids required by the body.
- Lean protein choices like pork are recommended because they are lower in total and saturated fat.
- The protein in pork keeps you feeling full longer so you can focus on a winning performance.
A Powerhouse of Nutrition
Fact: Pork is loaded with B vitamins, including vitamin B6, B12, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin. B vitamins help release energy from foods, enhance immune and nervous system functions, and support the division and formation of cells.
Fact: Pork is the leading food source of thiamin. Without this key vitamin, the body’s ability to break down carbohydrates, protein, and fat would be significantly compromised.
Fact: Pork is rich in selenium, known for its antioxidant-like properties. Antioxidants help prevent and repair the damage done by the body’s natural processes.
Fact: Pork delivers a good supply of zinc, an essential mineral for growth, cell repair, and energy production. Zinc also helps remove carbon dioxide from muscles during exercise.
Fact: Pork is a good source of iron. Iron helps carry oxygen to active muscles.
Visit
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Eat Like a Champion
Pork provides high-quality protein, energy, and many important vitamins and minerals. Fresh pork is naturally low in sodium and contains no trans fat.
To keep you energized, combine lean, nutrient-rich pork with complex carbs like cooked dried beans and whole wheat pasta. This winning formula fuels active muscles and replenishes energy stores, helping you perform your best.
Pairing superfoods like bright-coloured vegetables and antioxidant-rich berries with pork provides added energy, vitamins, and minerals.
Visit putporkonyourfork.com for great pork recipes.
"A hearty, pork-based soup or stew that's high in protein keeps me feeling full longer so I can focus on a winning performance."
- Jeff Stoughton, Curling
"Pairing lean, nutrient-rich pork with healthy carbs makes for a quick and tasty energy-packed meal that's good for me."
- Tammy Mahon, Volleyball
"Pork is a powerhouse of nutrition! It provides me with protein, a variety of important B-vitamins, iron & more
- Jared Funk, Rugby
When possible, we also reward athletes for determination, success, and community citizenship through our monthly Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month certificate.
MJHL Peak Performers
The Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month for February is 20-year-old forward Evan Laye of the Selkirk Steelers.
His community involvement is outstanding. Evan participated in workshops as part of the Lockport Children's Festival. He organized activities for children that embrace Aboriginal culture as part of Selkirk Aboriginal Day and has also volunteered with Nova House Women's Shelter. He was a Guest Reader for Lord Selkirk School Division for 'I Love to Read Month'. Evan regularly assists children with hockey skills development as well. The MJHL is proud of the contribution Evan makes to his community.
The Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month for January is 18 year-old defenseman Matt Franczyk of the Steinbach Pistons.
Matt is very active in the community of Steinbach. In January he visited local elementary schools and worked with students focusing on Numeracy Month initiatives. Matt’s billet mom is a school teacher and her son is in Squirt level hockey. Matt has worked with the Squirt team all season, helping them with skill development. In the neighbourhood where Matt lives, he has helped open a neighbourhood outdoor rink for kids to play and have fun with hockey. Matt has logged the most ice time of any Piston player this season.
The Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month for December is 20 year old goaltender Matt Krahn of the OCN Blizzard.
Matt is currently one of the top goaltenders in the MJHL and is near the top in all goaltender statistical categories. He is also active in his community. Matt mentors young minor hockey goaltenders in both the OCN and The Pas Minor hockey associations with early morning tutoring sessions twice a week. The minor hockey goaltenders benefit from Matt’s excellent one-on-one instruction. Matt also participates in an elementary school reading program that is coordinated by University College of the North. Matt and some of his teammates visit schools and read stories to the students. The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is proud of the involvement players like Matt Krahn contribute to their community.
Mitch Van Teeling of the Dauphin Kings is the Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month for November 2011.
The 18-year-old forward is third on his team in scoring with 31 points in 30 games played including 10 goals and 21 assists. However, Mitch really shines in the community. The Dauphin Kings have a trainer with special needs named Jonathan Foster. Mitch Van Teeling spends up to two days per week including overnight with Jonathan acting as a friend and companion and helping him with cooking and other chores in Jonathan’s apartment. In addition, Mitch is enrolled in university courses via correspondence. Mitch also contributes to Team School visits during the season. Mitch says that billeting last year with Kings Captain, Shane Luke was a huge help in understanding the importance of giving back to the community.
Brett Chartier of the Winnipeg Saints is the Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month for October 2011.
Chartier had a very strong month on the ice while continuing to work with persons with special needs off the ice. Brett is responsible for two individuals with special needs and brings them to practice regularly to be around the team and hang out in the dressing room with the players. These two individuals love being with Brett and around the Saints players. Brett manages to play an important role with the Saints as team captain, attend university courses and make a difference in the lives of individuals with special needs throughout the season.
The Peak Performer of the Month for September 2011 is Brent Wold, an 18-year-old forward for the Portage Terriers.
Wold, 18, lead the league in scoring in September with 13 points (4 goals and 9 assists). He and his teammates also participated in the annual Terry Fox run and did fundraising for the United Way campaign.