Attention to nutrition can give athletes an edge

By: Skylar Starbeck

Night Before Game Day

It is important to get a big meal in the night before game day. Usually a big portion of carbohydrates is a necessity. It gives you endurance, strength and energy in time for your big event. Good carbs to consume the night before are breads, rice and pastas. Eating carbs is known to help keep you energized during that long game of yours.

Pre Workout

Before working out it is always good to have small portions. Bananas, peanut butter, a protein bar and yogurt are all great choices to have right before a workout. A slight bit of energy with a small portion of protein and potassium is the perfect meal. Avoid drinking Gatorade and other energy drinks before your workout. These drinks are for recovery and only give you energy for when you need that extra push during the game. Electrolytes are good but give you that sudden energy, which then allows your body to get tired again.

Post Workout

It is always important to eat a meal after working out. You want to make sure you receive that muscle gain you worked for. Chocolate milk and or water is always the go to drink after a workout. It is important to replenish the muscles after a hard workout. For foods after working out, Peanut butter, fruits, protein bars and granola are the perfect post workout meals. These foods are high in protein and allow the body to recover and build up muscle.

Senior Rayce Willet

“Before every football game, I follow the same eating routine before game time. I usually eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some type of meat for more protein. It gives me the perfect amount of food to fill before the game. After the game I usually drink lots of water and a big meal consisting of some type of meat.”

Senior Holly Schmitz

“Two hours before a race I usually eat some kind of peanut butter, like I dip honey wheat pretzels in peanut butter or a peanut butter sandwich. Then like one hour before the race, I eat apple slices or some pretzels. Usually pretty light food. I make sure I drink a lot of water during the day, then switch to Gatorade one hour before the race.  After a race I don’t really worry about what I eat, but I make sure to drink a lot of water and Gatorade to rehydrate.”

Junior Lupe Galvez-Rodriguez

“The night before a meet, I load up with plenty of carbs. Usually pastas, grains and lots of water. Before the meet, I eat a light snack that is not too heavy, consisting of granola bars, fruit and water. Post meet, I have a sandwich, lots of water or gatorade, and fruit. I stay away from sweets and junk food and focus on foods which recover my energy back.”

Senior Dan Kelly

“Before a match, I usually eat half of a sandwich and plenty of water. I don’t eat too much to make me full. Post match I eat the other half of the sandwich and drink lots of water and Gatorade.”