Sydney Leroux Just Told Us the High-Protein Breakfast She Makes on Game Days

Professional soccer player Sydney Leroux is taking on this new season with a protein-packed partnership. Barilla just launched their new Protein+ Cellentani shape last week at Expo West, and the Angel City FC forward was by their side to debut the product.

To celebrate the release, we were given the chance to chat with Leroux about her family’s go-to pasta dinners, as well as her favorite source of “me time,” her morning routine and her game-day breakfast. Learn more about the World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist in this exclusive interview.

EatingWell: Go-to snacks to keep on hand for yourself and the family?

Leroux: I would say the kids are really into dried strawberries. I do not make them, I buy them. I try to keep it as healthy as possible, but we mix in some candy every now and then. I also love seaweed snacks, the kids do too. We're always on the go, so anything that we're able to grab and go is always good.

EatingWell: What’s your favorite meal when you’re traveling?

Leroux: I love breakfast and so when we're traveling and there's an omelet station, that's key for me. I love that, and I always do the same thing—I don't even get an omelet. I get sunny-side up eggs and I put a bunch of raw onions on top with a little Tabasco and ketchup. That is basically my game-day breakfast.

EatingWell: Do you have a morning routine that you stick by?

Leroux: When I'm at home and I have some time, I love to make my own matcha. I'll have matcha in the morning and then usually at training, I'll have eggs and bacon. We have an amazing chef at our training facility that makes great food, and he also does a really good avocado toast. That would be my average morning.

EatingWell: What inspired this partnership with Barilla to help launch their new product?

Leroux: I was really excited to partner with Barilla and debut the new Protein+ Cellentani shape. For me, it's about the importance of maintaining energy levels on and off the field. And I love that Barilla Protein+ pasta allows my family to do that and makes it easy to prepare delicious meals as well. My kids and I love to cook together, so we always make pasta together. That's just a nice little moment for us.

EatingWell: What's a dinner that you love to cook with your kids?

Leroux: It’s the Barilla Protein+ Cellentani shape, and I like to add more protein in there. For instance, my favorite would be chicken sausage. I like it spicy, the kids don't, so we'll cook a big bowl together and then I'll put my little spices in after. Creamy tomato sauce, chicken sausage and some broccoli is just, chef's kiss.

EatingWell: What's your favorite source of "me time"?

Leroux: Before [the kids] get up, I get to have my coffee and just have a moment to myself, do my skin-care routine. And then at night, if I want to watch a show or read a book, that's my time to do that. I think the “me time” is important because once they're awake, it's all about them. So I try to fit in some good “me time” when I can.

EatingWell: Current favorite show?

Leroux: Of course I'm watching Love Is Blind like everyone else. My team is all watching it at the same time, so we're coming into training and we're talking about all the drama and what we think is going to happen. It's been perfect.

EatingWell: What does "eating well" mean to you?

Leroux: I would put health at the forefront of that. I also think it doesn't have to be so structured. It's OK to sometimes have a burger and have some candy. I think eating well means eating happy and being happy with how you feel and with the foods that you're eating.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.