Tag Archive: sports nutrition

1. Handy videos for parents of sports children

   29th December 2017 9:56 am 1 Comment

   Trustworthy information to help parents

   I don’t profess to know everything, but I am lucky enough to know enough great coaches and experts that I can draw upon for advice.

   This means I can give the best advice to parents of our club members and individual athletes. Here are two great examples of conversations I had with experts based in the USA answering questions from our athletes.

   First up (seasonal relevance for those wanting to avoid post Christmas fad diets) a Q&A with Dave Ellis of “Fueling Tactics” who has worked with many professional and collegiate sports teams. He has a real understanding of how to apply nutritional theory to the real world.

   Second up “What a parent should know about helping their child develop and enjoy sport over their lives” with Dr Brian McCormick. (skip the first 2 minutes of tech difficulties!). For those parents who feel pressured into getting their child into a squad, team or “academy” too early.

2. Fuelling athletes in the real world: Dave Ellis

   12th January 2017 9:50 am 9 Comments

   “Athletes have an inability to recover from one beat down to the next”

   Dave Ellis presented twice at GAIN on fuelling athletes and supplementation. He is quite simply the best person I have seen talking about nutrition and feeding athletes in the real world. We shall be doing a live Q&A with Dave next week for our athletes and parents.

   Stimulant dependent generation

   A combination of lack of fitness, short off seasons, travel, pressure to perform and overall stress lead athletes to seek stimulants.

   This means that there “are a bunch of landmines out there, that can go off at any time.” As a coach, you must realise what is happening, and be ready to adjust your training accordingly.

   The stimulants come in different forms: over the counter ones like caffeine drinks or high fructose ones; or hidden in “herbal remedy” type health drinks or pills.

   Chinese Grasp on supplementation

   The slides, stats and videos that Ellis showed on the supplementation factories and warehouses were shocking to say the least.

   Metal filings, hair, dust and bits of plastic are some of the things discovered in the food batches sampled. As they are sold by weight, metal might be heavier by volume than powder!

   All the Vitamin C sources for fortification and supplements in the USA come from China. The quality control is not good, whether by accident or design. (This report from the FDA shows 615 supplements have been identified as tainted since Jan 1st 2008).

   Talking of design, Ellis made some clear points about how the profit driven industry has a massive influence in the things we eat and buy.

   It is a political landscape, where Gatorade pay the NFL $1.1 billion to be the official supplement provider to the league.  Ellis can’t give Vitamin D supplements to NFL players because Gatorade don’t make them.

   Research Fraud

   The profit driven industry create poor research studies, then publish them in pseudo science journals, then spin the poor results to the health industry.

   This comes to you the reader via newspaper articles or adverts featuring sports stars drinking sugar drinks.

   Over trained or under recovered?

   Ellis talked a lot about the stressors involved in serious competition and their impact on the athletes. Training volumes and intensities are not that great for college and professional team sport athletes.

   Instead, the players do not recover enough due to other factors. His BIG 4 contributors are:

   1. Lack of sleep
   2. Binge eating patterns
   3. Inadequate hydration
   4. Missing post workout supplement/ food timing

   3 step approach to fuelling

   

   Great poster

   Here comes the real world application. Ellis shows how he sets up eating stations or works with teams to get these 3 key steps followed:

   1 Less down time due to illness: eat fresh foods and vegetables. This should be put on your plate first.

   2 Energy critical for work: slow and fast releasing carbohydrates, to be periodised according to your activity that day.

   3 Less muscle soreness and improved recovery time: low, medium and high fat protein sources. Use a variety throughout the day, and only low fat proteins on rest days.

   The poster shown on the right lists all the foods that are recommended and how they contribute to this pattern of eating.

   This was not some lecture by a pseudo scientist talking about lipids and pathways and a diet based around marathon running. Nor was it a fad junkie trying to promote the latest supplements.

   Instead, it was a highly informative and practical look at how important nutrition is and how athletes can improve their performance through simple changes.

   I have taken his 3 step approach and showed it the athletes I work with. I provide our athletes with one of these posters, and they are really useful.

   Further reading

   The history of supplements: read how teenage gullible boys became the target market.

   If you have any questions for Dave, please leave a comment below that we can add to the live chat next week.

3. “What are the best vegetables to eat?”

   30th November 2016 10:55 am 3 Comments

   Powerhouse your diet with the best fruit and veg

   

   Scurvy busters

   Scurvy has made a reappearance in Australia with only 7% of Australians eating enough vegetables every day. Less than half eat 2 portions of fruit or more too!

   Before trying to get “specific sports nutrition advice” you have to take care of the basics.

   A recent study¹ has identified 41 “Powerhouse” Fruit and Vegetables which can significantly improve health. These nutrient dense foods have been found to be the most effective in reducing chronic disease.

   Here is a review of the main findings of the research, as well as some practical guidance for getting the most out of your nutrition:

   Research

   The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹ took numerous fruit and vegetables and analysed their nutrient content based on the 17 nutrients of public health importance:

   • Macronutrients– Protein, Fibre
   • Minerals– Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Zinc
   • Vitamins– A, B(Niacin, Folate, Riboflavin, Thiamin, B₆, B₁₂), C, D, E, & K

   The foods were assigned a nutrient density score based on the bioavailability of the given nutrients. The highest scoring foods were classed as Powerhouse Fruit and Vegetables and are listed below in their categories.

   • Cruciferous- watercress, Chinese cabbage, kale, arugula, Broccoli, Cauliflower
   • Green Leafy- chard,  beet green, spinach, chicory, leaf lettuce, romain lettuce, kale
   • Yellow/orange– carrot, tomato, winter squash, sweet potato, pumpkin
   • Allium- scallion, leek
   • Citrus- lemon, orange, lime, red and pink grapefruit
   • Berry– strawberry, blackberry

   How many of these foods are you currently getting into your diet?

   All these foods contain nutrients which reduce your chances of getting ill, meaning you can spend more time training and competing.

   It is important to eat a variety of these fruit and vegetables to ensure that your body is receiving all of the vitamins and minerals it needs. You should aim to include at least one or two of these foods with every meal.

   For example, in order to enjoy a healthy breakfast, include some blackberries and strawberries in a bowl of porridge, with some chopped nuts for extra protein.

   Even simple additions to your daily diet such as a bag of fresh mixed green salad leaves with your lunch, or snacking on fresh fruit, will pay big dividends.

   As with all good training, diet and lifestyle practices, it comes down to forming a habit. To learn more about habit forming, and for tips on how to implement positive changes to your routine, read here.

   Eating for competition

   When planning your meals around training and competition, it is still important to maintain a good intake of nutrients to help your body recover.

   However one nutrient which should be limited directly prior to training or competition is fibre, as it is hard to digest and can potentially lead to gastric discomfort.

   For more information on this, read our guide on Eating for competition.

   Matt Durber

   References

   Di Noia, J. (2014) Defining Powerhouse Fruit and Vegetables: A Nutrient Density Approach Preventing Chronic Disease, 11

4. What should I eat for breakfast?

   25th May 2016 10:45 am 19 Comments

   “Fill me up with sugar and watch me crash”

   Parents and coaches often ask me “What should my child eat for breakfast?” 

   

   Diabetes starter packs

   Eating the a healthy breakfast will aid concentration and help overall health and performance. The recent study on Primary School children in Wales showed that eating breakfast was associated with better SATS scores.

   Unfortunately they asserted that breakfast cereals constituted a “healthy breakfast“. Read on and see why this is a big error...

   If you are anything like I was, you probably eat the same thing for breakfast 6 days out of 7, and it probably hasn’t changed for the last 5 years. It will most likely involve reaching for a bowl of breakfast cereal.

   It is important to eat properly before competing and before studying: breakfast is the best start.

   However, eating the wrong thing will lead to rapid increases in blood sugar, followed shortly by an insulin rush and onset of lethargy. This then leads to further cravings throughout the day.

   Looking at the Which! report on breakfast cereals, you may as well just eat handfuls of sugar.

   3 of the worst offenders for sugar content (or Diabetes starter packs)

   

   All apparently healthy, and 2 of the guys I was training last week (Jess and Kurtis) said they had these every day with the assumption they were healthy.

   Excelsior athletes can see some alternatives for a nutritional breakfast

   Otherwise you might like to look at this excellent guide from the NHS on 5 healthy breakfasts.  

   It is important to know that porridge and muesli were omitted from this report because they are outside of the best sellers. “Is porridge a good breakfast?” is something I get asked every time I do a workshop on healthy breakfasts.

   Whilst it is hot and has slow releasing energy, it is low on protein and vitamins. I would add nuts for protein and some fruit too. Wholewheat museli with no added sugar has a good balance. Avoid Alpen which is very high in added sugar.

   Making the change to a healthy breakfast

   4 years ago when I first read this report I made a determined effort to change what I ate.   Four mornings a week involved a mad rush of nappy changing, kids dressing, tidying up and general herding of cats- so it was unrealistic to get a cooked breakfast.

   But, I did manage to have Porridge or wholewheat muesli (with no added sugar) using nuts for protein.

   

   Omelette with peppers, onion, tomatoes, chives, parpika and parsley

   The other 3 days a week I had a bit more time and changed what I ate:  This included eggs, grilled bacon or peanut butter on toast.

   We  also deliberately changed the cereals we bought and the nutritional value of the bread to make toast. The whiter the bread, the more refined the flour, the quicker the release of the energy and the less nutritional value it has.

   • Switching to wholemeal toast instead of white toast will immediately improve your breakfast.
   • Adding some protein/ fat and reducing cereal/ bread content will make it healthier still.

   This will require some planning and alternative aisles visited in the supermarket- (a worthwhile investment on my part for me and family). I want to avoid a diabetes endemic in our house.

   Now I only eat wholemeal muesli or porridge 1-2 times a week, the rest of the time I include fresh fruit and protein. More recently I have started eating eggs 3-4 times each week. This reflects guidelines on returning to a more early twentieth century diet, low in sugar and refined carbohydrates.

   Thanks to Hayley Bond for her research.

5. Is Popeye eating the wrong vegetable?

   16th April 2016 10:01 am 3 Comments

   Spinach makes you stronger…

   Or so Popeye thought.

   There is a current debate going on amongst academics (with apparently too much time on their hands!) about a misplaced decimal point in the original research that cited spinach as a great source of iron.

   Dr Mike Sutton has written an analysis about the history behind Popeye’s adoption of Spinach.

   He then looks at the claims that Popeye was responsible for a 33% increase in USA Spinach consumption in the 1930s

   This is a great piece that should be read by all undergraduates about why Statistics do matter but their interpretation must be relevant and taken in context.

   “Socially embedded codswallop”

   Sutton’s examination of the evidence is quite thorough and it shows how quoting “facts” or journal articles without reference, can quite easily then become “socially embedded codswallop”.

   Spinach is one of several “superfoods” that are quoted as having special values, mainly because of its iron content”. In fact E.Segar (Popeye’s creator) chose Spinach because of its Vitamin A content, rather than its iron content.

   Iron content

   Spinach is a source of non-heme iron, which is usually found in vegetable sources. Unlike heme iron found in animal products, non-heme iron is not as easily absorbed by the body.

   That is because Spinach also contains oxalic acid (sometimes referred to as oxalate). Oxalic acid binds with iron, hence inhibiting its absorption.

   The iron content changes with cooking too. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, one cup of cooked spinach provides ~3.5mg of iron whereas a cup of raw spinach only contains 1 mg of iron.

   So, Spinach does contain Vitamin A, and some degree of iron, but isn’t a substitute for other meat and fish sources of iron.

   The take home message here is NOT “Spinach is bad for you”.

   Instead, it is check the evidence, and put stats into context.

   Thanks to Anton Parker for the tip (one of the aforementioned Academics with too much time on their hands!)

   Read our guide to the best vegetables you should eat.

6. Recovery Strategies for commited sports people

   9th March 2016 6:38 pm 7 Comments

   The Recovery Pyramid

   I use a pyramid method of recovery when coaching my athletes- there is little point going onto the next level until you have done the first. The further down you go, the less proven are the strategies.

   You will notice that many of these require minimal cost. This may seem unusual to you.

   That is because most recovery methods you hear about are trying to sell you something! Sleep is free, as is water (mostly).

   

   1. Cool down 10-15minutes of movement at 50% of maximum effort.
   2. Fluid and fuel intake within 15mins post exercise. main meal within 2 hours. 1.5 litres of water for every kg lost or for every hour of exercise (depending on climatic conditions). This should contain some protein and carbohydrate. A banana sandwich, Apple and Greek Yoghurt, and a glass of whole milk are all nutritious.
   3. Contrast showers- 30secs hot\ 30 secs cold four sets, then normal shower.
   4. Massage- self or other if you are lucky.
   5. Relaxation– may not help physical recovery, but it can help deal with stress of competition, allowing better quality sleep, which will then assist physical recovery.
   6. Ice bath– may be especially beneficial after contact sports or excessive volume.
   7. Compression suits– might be useful for journeys after competition where you are sat down for a long time. Could be useful on flights too. Avoid sleeping in them as they create too high a body temperature. Never, ever train in them.

   I see many athletes wearing expensive compression suits, but neglecting the simple, cheaper and better proven methods of recovery. (see recovery infographic).

   These are all designed to help you sleep better, which is the Number 1 recovery tool.

   Coaches should look at allowing time for these recovery strategies to take place, especially when you are competing on a weekly basis.

   The sooner you recover, the sooner you can train again.

7. Trick or Treat? 10 reasons why you are turning your child into an addict.

   26th October 2015 7:33 pm Leave a Comment

   “Irresponsible parenting leads to obesity epidemic after Halloween”

   Jumping on the American Bandwaggon and sending your kids out to Trick or Treat tonight? (Whatever happened to apple bobbing?). You might think that the occasional sweet won’t do any harm, but it is the common sugary foods that could be turning your child into an addict.

   The Sugar Addiction

   • Are you constantly tired and turn to sugar as an energy boost?
   • Do you turn to sugar to improve your mood?
   • Do you become irritable if you haven’t eaten and turn to sugar for a snack?
   • Do you eat high carbohydrate meals (pasta, bread, cereals)?

   If you answer yes to any of these you may be addicted to sugar. With current busy lifestyles we look for energy boosts wherever we can find them so that we can keep going for longer.

   These can come from chocolate, energy drinks, cakes, coffee etc. We end up requiring more hits to maintain the high; this high-low cycle of sugar can make our bodies insulin resistant leading to type 2 diabetes.

   Some people have become addicted to sugar as a result of trying to achieve weight loss. They have bought fat free/low fat foods as part of what they believe to be a balanced diet. However these foods may contain less fat but contain more sugar to improve taste.

   “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” you tell your kids, but only if it is balanced. Unfortunately most breakfast cereals are not healthy (here‘s why) and the early sugar rush leads to more cravings later.

   In order to eat a balanced diet we need to be more diligent with looking at food labels, any sugar has to be clearly labelled (under Carbohydrates). This will include both naturally occurring and added sugars but will give you a good idea of the foods content.

   Top 10 “Healthy Foods” packed with sugar

   1. Cereals – Cereals will promote themselves as being a good source of vitamin D for example, however they don’t show high levels of sugar. Balance the cereal with a source of protein or naturally slow sugar releasing fruit such as an apple.

   2. Fruit juice – Nearly every conceivable fruit juice or fruit drink option is available in supermarkets, to added sugar content choose 100% juice compared to concentrate. Dilute with water when drinking.

   3. Yogurt – Yogurt can be a healthy snack option, but not when it’s loaded with added sugars, those with artificial sweeteners have fewer calories. Plain low-fat yogurt topped with your favorite fruit is your best option. Tesco Low fat natural yogurt contains 7g sugar per 100g serving.

   4. Granola – These may seem a healthy option, however they can be full of trans fats that can increase you risk of heart disease. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Oats & Berries bars contain 8.7g per 42g serving (2 bars).

   5. Tomato Sauce/ Ketchup – Sugar is a common ingredient in ketchup, but it’s the source that matters. One tablespoon (17g) of Heinz tomato Ketchup contains 4g sugar.

   6. Canned fruit – It’s always a good idea to include more fruit in your diet. Canned fruit can be packed with sugars though if they are in syrup. A healthy option would be fruit canned in water/ natural juice or buying small tubs to hold your fruit in.

   7. Sports drinks & Vitamin water – Vitamin water sold is stores as healthy can contain high levels of sugar, Glaceau Vitamin Water contains 23g per 500ml. Sports drinks can also contain high sugar levels, this could mean you get a sugar spike at the start of a game but then hit a low during the match. (Better to make your own).

   8. Low fat Salad dressing – Light salad dressings replace the fat with sugar. Be sure to check the food label for the amount of sugar in your store-bought dressing. Hellmans Fat Free Salad dressing contains 10.8g per 100ml compared to their Caesar dressing which contains only 3.8g per 100ml.

   9. Smoothies – Many shops promote their smoothies as being healthy, however their products can contain more sugar than coke. Innocent smoothies can contain over 10g per 100ml.

   10. Bread – Breads typically have a touch of sugar added to them. About half of the brands we looked at had about 1 teaspoon of added sugar per slice. Be sure to read the label and ingredients for the types of added sugar.

   Jack Lalanne predicted the future of sugary foods

   Sugar addiction is not a new problem, back in the 1950’s Jack Lalanne confessed to being a sugarholic as a teenager and could see it becoming a prevalent problem in American society.

   He recorded this video back then which is still current today

   Summary

   • Pay attention to the food that you eat.
   • Be aware that “low fat” often means “high sugar”.
   • Have some protein and fruit/ vegetables at every meal.
   • Drink water as your first choice.
   • Don’t go Trick or Treating.

   The NHS provide a great free “sugar swap” series of ideas.

   Duncan Buckmaster        

8. Are you fat or obese?

   16th August 2015 2:12 pm 5 Comments

   

   it all starts with 1 big mac

   Is fat a bad word?

   Comments from then Health Minister  Anne Milton in 2010 about Doctors telling people they are fat  generated much comment.

   I don’t have a problem with honest feedback– there is too little of it– as long as you then give some solutions to help the person concerned.

   An example in Netball is that one player was described to me as “not agile enough.” I then asked the coach what she had done to help the player concerned to improve. “We give them all a folder“.  Great.

   Living in Devon I see a lot of fat people, maybe it is an economics issue, it is a poor county, maybe it is a lifestyle issue- large distances to travel by car.

   Luckily most of the athletes I train are very lean and have trouble putting on weight- a different problem altogether.

   Whose fault is obesity?

   This report makes some interesting points, but I still believe it is an individual’s choice as to whether they eat that extra biscuit or not.

   Lifestyle has changed, working with young athletes, it is surprising how few of them walk or cycle anywhere to get around. Part of that is a cultural aspect of safety issues and ease of access to facilities, but part of it is they are not in a habit of using their feet.

   As a coach or parent- how much of a good example do you set? Young people tend to respond to practical examples and role models rather than being told what to do.

   Start your exercise programme today with this Free Guide

9. How to make your own sports drink

   2nd June 2015 4:40 pm 5 Comments

   Lucozade and Red Bull are expensive

   but not necessarily better than water (see here for comparison). You can easily make your own sports drink which will help you save money and tailor it for your own needs.

   The label on water  states that it contains no carbohydrates, sugars, protein or fat for that matter.

   Water acts as a buffer when body temperature rises if there is high specific heat (the specific heat of water equals 1 when 1 kilogram of water is heated 1°C between 15 and 16°C).

   However the effects of water are to cool you down, rehydrate and help increase the mineral and vitamin absorption of a daily diet. Electrolytes are something that Lucozade does not contain enough of.

   Some fluid facts

   • Fluid losses of 1–2% of body weight or greater induce the need for fluid and electrolyte replacement.
   • Losses as small as 1–2% of body weight stimulates thirst.
   • The hypothalamus is the center of the brain where thirst regulation is dictated
   • Fluid replacement guidelines have been established to minimize exertional dehydration.
   • Dehydration, as defined by a 2% loss of euhydrated body weight, negatively impacts athletic performance.
   • An athlete engaged in prolonged exercise can lose 5 L of fluid per day with a range of 4,600–5,750 mg sodium and much smaller amounts of potassium.

   3 different types of sports drink

   Isotonic – quickly replaces fluids lost by sweating and supplies a boost of carbohydrate. This drink is the choice for most athletes – middle and long distance running or team sports. Glucose is the body’s preferred source of energy therefore it may be appropriate to consume Isotonic drinks where the carbohydrate source is glucose in a concentration of 6% to 8% – e.g. High Five, SiS Go, Boots Isotonic, Lucozade Sport.

   Hypotonic – quickly replaces fluids lost by sweating. Suitable for athletes who need fluid without the boost of carbohydrate e.g. jockeys and gymnasts.

   Hypertonic – used to supplement daily carbohydrate intake normally after exercise to top up muscle glycogen stores. In ultra distance events, high levels of energy are required and Hypertonic drinks can be taken during exercise to meet the energy demands. If used during exercise Hypertonic drinks need to be used in conjunction with Isotonic drinks to replace fluids.

   Want to make your own?

   

   Contains water

   Isotonic – 200ml of orange squash (concentrated orange), 1 litre of water and a pinch of salt (1g). Mix all the ingredients together and keep chilled

   Hypotonic – 100ml of orange squash (concentrated orange), 1 litre of water and a pinch of salt (1g). Mix all the ingredients together and keep chilled.

   Hypertonic – 400ml of orange squash (concentrated orange), 1 litre of water and a pinch of salt (1g). Mix all the ingredients together and keep chilled.

   Replacing sodium, after exercise is very important. Lucozade sport contains 23mg of sodium whereas the other types do not contain enough for replenishing what the body has lost through sweating and exercise.

   Dehydration is one of the main causes of fatigue with only 2% body water loss potentially causing this. Therefore maintaining hydration during an event is crucial.

   Although Lucozade contains enough sodium, water is still the best for hydration.

   Matt Brookland

10. Guide to eating before competing

    20th March 2015 2:48 pm 9 Comments

    “When should I eat before a competition?”

    is one of the questions we are asked most often, followed by “What should I eat before matches?” Pre- competition nutrition is a vital part of any athlete’s preparation. Maximising available energy and properly hydrating are necessary to ensure that you perform at your best.

    What to eat

    In order to maximise energy for competition, athletes should eat meals high in carbohydrate. However it is important to select the right types of carbohydrate to ensure that energy is released slowly and can be sustained throughout the duration of the competition. The table below shows which foods are high in slow release carbohydrates and which release energy faster.

    

    Eating foods high in fast release carbohydrates too soon before competition will mean a rapid increase in blood glucose levels. This in turn will lead to production of the hormone insulin which acts to remove glucose from the blood and store it in the liver, where it is not available for energy production.

    However, these foods are ideal immediately after training or competition when replenishing the body’s energy stores becomes a big priority.

    Fat is less readily used as an energy source during competition due to the high intensity, so keep ingestion of fats and high fat proteins to a minimum in the lead up an event.

    This will leave more room for carbohydrates, and reduce the likelihood of gastric discomfort which high fat foods can cause due to longer digestion times. The table below shows a list of lean, medium and high fat proteins.

    

    Keeping hydrated is vital for performance as it will allow you to perform well physically and stay mentally focussed. Try and drink regularly throughout the day rather than drinking lots in a few bursts, as your body will be able to absorb the fluid better. See how much fluid you should be drinking each day here.

    When to eat

    This will depend on the time of your competition, here are some examples of common meal timings for different competitions:

    Morning

    • 8am Breakfast- poached eggs on wholegrain, blueberry and oat pancakes (inspired by pancake day) and/or small bowl of natural muesli. water (more here).
    • 10am Competition- If you struggle to eat before an early competition, sports drinks can be very useful source of energy and are easily digestible.

    Only start consuming once your warm up has started to avoid an insulin spike.

    • Immediately post competition- fast digesting carbohydrates and protein for fast energy replenishment
    • 2 hours post competition- Try and eat a full meal consisting of slow releasing carbohydrates, protein for recovery and fruit and/or vegetables for vitamins and minerals. 2 hours post exercise is the window of opportunity for maximum glycogen storage in the body.

    Afternoon

    • 8-9am Breakfast- large breakfast to maximise energy storage e.g. poached egg on toast, porridge with berries, grapefruit. Water
    • 12-1pm- top up energy levels without overeating e.g. small sweet potato with grilled chicken breast. Water
    • 3pm- Competition
    • Immediately post competition- see above
    • 2 hours post competition- see above

    Evening

    • 8-9am Breakfast- large breakfast. Water
    • 11am Snack- mixed nuts and dried fruit. Water
    • 1-2pm lunch- Grilled salmon and steamed rice and veg. Water
    • 3.30-4pm- small jacket potato with tuna. Water
    • 7pm- Competition
    • Immediately post competition- try and stick to same principles of post competition nutrition, however if you cannot manage 2 meals at this time, make sure you have one good meal.

    Summary

    Whatever time your competition takes place, the same principles of eating plenty of slow release carbohydrates, limiting fat and maintaining hydration should apply.

    (picture of James Marshall helping one of our athletes prepare food ahead of competing)

    Leaving 2-3 hours between eating and competition will allow food to properly digest and leave the body free to concentrate on physical performance with adequate energy.

    Whatever strategies you put in place for your competition day nutrition, make sure they are well practiced . Trying something new for the first time before a competition is a risk not worth taking.

    Matt Durber 

    Further reading:

    • How to make your own sports drink 
    • What should I eat for breakfast?