Cameron Brink Uses These Quick And Delicious Protein Hacks To Stay Fueled For Games

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Stanford University basketball star Cameron Brink is a self-proclaimed “huge snacker”—so much so that mid-game munchies are now associated with some of her best performances.

At the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Cameron sat out round one after coming down with norovirus. “I was severely ill,” the forward tells Women’s Health. “I had lost eight pounds and I was so, so sick.” She recovered in time to play Ole Miss in the second round, and while the Cardinal ultimately lost the matchup, Cameron rallied to put up an impressive 20 points and 13 rebounds. She attributes the comeback to her secret snacking weapon: applesauce pouches.

“I swear it works,” she says. “If you feel ill and you need an energy kick, I just have an applesauce.” Now, whenever she puts up a massive stat line, she says, people tell her she’s having an “applesauce game.” Averaging a career-high 17.9 points and 11.9 rebounds this season, it’s safe to say plenty more applesauce games are in Cameron’s future.

WH caught up with the Stanford senior—who recently partnered with EVO ICL Implantable Collamer Lenses to upgrade her vision—to see what else fuels her next-level game play.

Breakfast is always hearty and protein-packed.

The 2021 NCAA national champion starts her day with a big meal: typically an omelet, oatmeal, and a side of fruit (she loves cantaloupe). When she needs an on-the-go option, a protein shake with Optimum Nutrition’s vanilla whey is her go-to. “Protein does a good job of keeping me full,” she says. “I don't feel like I'm hungry within the next hour, so that's good when you're playing.”

If it’s a normal practice day, she’ll also kick the day off with an Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy drink over ice. On game days, however, she tries to stay away from that morning caffeine boost. “It makes me more anxious,” she explains.

For lunch, Cameron makes a conscious effort to eat more greens.

The formula for her midday meal is usually: Protein, some form of complex carbohydrates, and a vegetable. She loves Sweetgreen’s hot plates, like chicken with sweet potatoes. “I could be better about my greens, so I'll try to get greens in at lunch,” she says—her trainers and nutritionist have been insisting on it.

Cameron also needs fuel when she’s training, so after lunch she’ll munch on protein like string cheese, hard-boiled eggs, packets of chia seeds, or Barebells protein bars. She also likes Mush’s ready-to-eat overnight oats for an extra carb boost.

“I definitely DoorDash way too much,” Cameron admits. “It's hard because in college you don't really have a kitchen. But that's why I love stuff like overnight oats and protein bars, because it's just accessible.”

Dinner is another protein-forward meal.

Cameron isn’t big on beef, but she loves chicken or salmon served with a carb like pasta or quinoa. When she’s at home with family, she’s probably indulging in her grandma’s home-cooked comfort food, which includes crock pot stew, enchiladas, or chicken with capers.

“My sweet grandma has lived with us my whole life and she spoiled me,” Cameron says. “Now, I guess in the real world, I'm going to have to learn how to make more than cereal and PB&J and scrambled eggs.” She’s hoping to learn how to meal prep like a champ in 2024—with help from her grandma, of course.

Hydration is key for long training days.

Cameron’s goal is to drink her bodyweight in ounces of water every day, and it has to be with ice. “I'm a huge electrolyte girl,” she adds, noting that Liquid IV and Propel powder packets are her favorites. “Any way I can get in extra electrolytes with a yummy flavor, I'm super into.”

The New Balance athlete immediately notices a difference in the way she performs on the court when she’s drinking an adequate amount of water. “Until you kind of know—you're like, 'I finally feel hydrated'—that's when it clicks,” she says. “It really makes the biggest difference.”

Salty, crunchy snacks are Cameron’s favorite thing to eat at the end of the day.

You’ll usually find Cameron snacking in between meals or before bed, and it’s always something she truly loves. “I'm a huge proponent of [the idea that a meal during] your day doesn't need to be completely a handful of nuts,” she says. The Cardinal have a snack cart by the court when they practice, filled with Pirate’s Booty, Goldfish, or pretzels for a quick boost.

Cameron is also something of a chip connoisseur, counting Trader Joe’s chips among her favorites—specifically the Salsa Verde tortilla chips and Ghost Pepper potato chips. “My mom, her pregnancy craving was chips when I was in the womb,” she says. “So I feel like that's why I cannot live without chips.” Cameron also digs Takis dipped in sour cream, Quest protein chips, or pita chips with Trader Joe’s pimiento cheese dip.

When she wants to treat herself, Cameron and her roommate (who is also a Stanford teammate) love to make a charcuterie board with different cheeses. And while she’s not big on sweets, she does love ice cream, Reese’s cups and Sour Patch Kids.

Cameron admits she’s “not the healthiest eater,” but she believes in eating what she loves so long as she’s front-loading her diet with protein and greens. “I'm definitely about eating balanced and healthy, but also I eat a lot of my guilty pleasures for sure,” she says. “It's all about eating enough and feeling myself and feeling good.”

And if her performance on the court this season is any indication, she’s on the right track.

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals