As Norway prepares for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against England, the team’s much-publicised seafood strategy has received a further boost. Team chef Aron Espeland originally travelled to the United States with more than 500kg of Norwegian seafood to support player preparation, recovery and performance throughout the tournament.
With Norway’s World Cup journey continuing, a further 100kg shipment of fresh Norwegian halibut has now been sent to the team camp to support the players’ nutritional programme throughout the tournament, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.
At the elite level, where matches can be decided by the finest of margins, nutrition is recognised as an important part of preparation and recovery. For Norway, that preparation has included regular servings of Norwegian seafood throughout the tournament.
‘When you’re preparing four meals a day for more than 60 people throughout a tournament, planning is everything. The Norwegian players love seafood, so it’s a natural part of what we serve,’ said Aron Espeland.
‘People often ask why we brought Salmon from Norway all the way to the United States. It was about consistency. Our players know the quality, taste and versatility of the product and that familiarity allows us to prepare meals with confidence every day. At this level, every meal has a purpose, and salmon from Norway is an important part of helping our players prepare, perform and recover.’
Seafood delivers high-quality lean protein to the players, as well as a host of other nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B12 and D, selenium and iron – all of which serve important roles in sporting performance.
‘Seafood can be a valuable part of an athlete’s weekly diet,’ said sports dietitian and nutritionist Roxana Ehsani.
‘Most elite footballers are looking for marginal gains wherever they can find them. Nutrition is one of those areas, and seafood provides a unique combination of high-quality protein, omega-3 and essential nutrients that can help support preparation, recovery and performance.’
With a long history of fish production, steeped in culture and tradition, Norwegian seafood is a huge part of life for the players back home.
‘While football provides the backdrop, this story highlights the important role nutrition plays when athletes are competing at the highest level. Seafood has always been part of everyday life in Norway, and it’s something these players know, trust and enjoy, wherever they are in the world,’ commented NSC UK director Bjørn-Erik Stabell.
‘Norway may not be one of the world’s largest football nations, but we are one of the world’s leading seafood exporters, trusted globally for quality, consistency and nutrition. Today, Norwegian seafood reaches more than 140 countries and provides 38 million meals every day. Moving seafood across long distances is something our industry does every day, so supplying the Norwegian national team while in the United States has been a natural extension of that expertise.’
