She is the only female freestyle skier in history to land a quadruple-twisting triple backflip. This savory meal keeps her full and energized.

ashley caldwell breakfast burrito and salsa

(Photo: L to R: Ashley Caldwell: Tim Clayton/Getty; Burrito and salsa: Ayana Underwood/Canva )

Published February 19, 2026 09:05AM

When my sister gave birth to my beloved nephew, I eagerly signed up to cook all her meals for the first few months postpartum. Over the course of a few weeks, I stepped into an entirely new world, one that taught me how vital it is for mothers to nourish properly as they heal from pregnancy and birth.

So when I heard about 4X Olympic freestyle skier Ashley Caldwell, a new mom, I was immediately impressed. With a resume that includes taking home a gold medal in the 2022 Winter Olympics and being the only woman to land a quadruple-twisting triple backflip, a move called “The Daddy,” she’s quite an inspiration. She also holds a world record for the hardest acrobatic trick ever completed by a female.

While she decided not to pursue the 2026 Games to focus on being a parent, I felt compelled to reach out to find out what she’s eating to fuel her body through postpartum recovery.

How Ashley Caldwell Maintains Energy After Having a Baby

I interviewed Caldwell just as she was starting her day. In the background, her baby cooed. From experience with my nephew, I knew time was limited; new parents only get a few quiet minutes at a time.

Caldwell shared that most mornings begin with training, and to fuel those workouts while supporting milk production, she relies on a breakfast burrito. Her favorite kind is stuffed with cheese and healthy fats. “Avocado is my jam,” she says. Depending on how she feels (and whether her stomach cooperates), she’ll sometimes add salsa for extra flavor.

“Breakfast burritos are a solid way to start the day, especially postpartum,” Caldwell says. “My body needs so much just to train and compete. And with nursing, I need extra calcium too. Plus, it’s easy to eat. I can nurse with my baby in one hand and eat the burrito with the other.”

In her world of gravity sports, calcium matters a lot. “I’m breastfeeding, and he’s taking all my nutrients, which is fine,” she said. “But I have to stay aware. If I don’t get enough calcium, I could risk breaking bones.”

With a sister only a few months postpartum, I sent her Caldwell’s recipe to try. I also made it myself. For her, I wanted to see whether it could support milk production and steady her energy. For me, I was curious whether it would satisfy me through a busy morning.

To better understand the nutrition behind it—and how to elevate it further—I also spoke with a registered dietitian specializing in postpartum care. Read on for her recommendations—plus my (and my sister’s) final thoughts on this hearty breakfast.

How to Make Ashley Caldwell’s Breakfast Burrito

The supplies for this one are easy. All you need is a bowl, a whisk, a pan or skillet, and a spatula.

ashley caldwell breakfast burrito (Photo: Ashia Aubourg)
Ingredients

3 large eggs
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 ripe avocado (pitted and sliced)
1 large whole-wheat tortilla (burrito size)
Tomato salsa, to use as a topping
Olive oil, for cooking
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Recipe

Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk until smooth.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium, then add a drizzle of olive oil.
Pour in the eggs and immediately lower the heat to low. Stir gently with a spatula as they begin to set.
Once the eggs start to firm up, sprinkle in the cheese, plus a pinch of salt and pepper.
Turn off the heat and let the residual warmth finish melting the cheese.
Warm the tortilla, either in the microwave (30 seconds) or in a hot skillet (about ten seconds per side).
To assemble the burrito, layer the eggs, sliced avocado, and a spoonful of salsa in the center of the tortilla. Fold the sides of the tortilla in, then roll it tightly from the bottom up to form a burrito.
Optional: Toast the burrito in a skillet or put it in a toaster oven for extra crunch. You can also add extra salsa on the side.

The Verdict: Simple, Savory, and Filling

I’ve eaten plenty of breakfast burritos, but I never realized how quickly one can be made without the extra step of cooking bacon or sausage. This vegetarian version came together in just five minutes, start to finish. For anyone new to wrapping burritos, I recommend watching a quick tutorial—it helps.

My sister, who’s currently breastfeeding, tried the recipe after I shared it with her. She said it fit easily into her busy mornings, supported milk production, and kept her full.

I couldn’t agree more with how satisfying it was. I added hot sauce for some heat and salsa macha (a spicy sauce made with dried chiles, peanuts, and sesame seeds), for extra crunch. That burrito kept me satiated and full until lunchtime.

How to Get the Most Out of This Burrito, According to Nutritionists

“This breakfast burrito offers a balanced mix of macronutrients and micronutrients,” says Pamela Mitri, a registered dietitian specializing in pre- and post-natal care based in Ontario, Canada. For an athlete like Caldwell, Mitri recommends eating it about three hours before training to maximize its benefits.

Eggs supply protein to support muscle repair and growth. Cheese offers calcium for bone health. Avocado provides healthy fats, and tomato salsa contains the antioxidant lycopene, which has been found to lower your risk of stroke and cancer. The burrito is also a good source of energy-boosting carbohydrates—just one of the tortillas I purchased contains 30 grams of carbs per shell.

The benefits extend beyond providing energy for training. For new mothers, “Eggs and cheese contribute essential protein and calcium for lactation and milk production,” says Mitri. Extra vegetables can upgrade this burrito even more, she says. Toss some spinach or kale into your burrito to boost your iron, which plays a key role in postpartum recovery, as depleted iron stores can lead to fatigue and low mood.

Overall, this easy and delicious meal supports both Caldwell’s training goals and postpartum needs as she takes on two major journeys at once: preparing for future Winter Olympic Games and motherhood.

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