Eat to Win!
Healthy choices for athletes
The Basics
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Do not skip meals
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Aim ​for 3 "Winning Plates" plus a pre-fuel and a re-fuel snack
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Stay away from sugary drinks
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Juice, soda, sweetened tea/coffee drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks, flavored milk, powdered drinks​
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Sports drinks are the exception not the rule​
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Try to stay away from processed foods
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Hydrate!
Hydration Rules:
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Most of the time, water is the drink of choice
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Aim for 32 ounces within the 3 hours before a practice or game
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16 ounces should be within the hours before a practice or game​
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Aim for 10-12 ounces during breaks​
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Aim for at least 32 ounces after practice
Sports drinks are ok during the following:
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For hard workouts over 90 minutes
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For workouts when you are unable to drink at least 20 ounces of water during the 3 hours before the workout
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For workouts in extreme heat
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During tournaments or if unable to eat within an hour after exercise
Build a winning plate!
Meal Ideas
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Pasta with chicken and salad
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Burritos with lots of veggies and meat
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Meat and veggie sandwich on whole grain bread
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Thin pizza with a salad or 1 cup of veggies
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Egg/Toast/Banana
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Oatmeal/Fruit/Nuts
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Avocado toas
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Whole grain waffle + fruit & nuts
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Plain yogurt with fruit and granola
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If you have to eat fast food, pick options that provide a lot of veggies. Burritos and sandwiches are better options than fried foods.
Drinks
Water
Dairy or soy milk
Health Fats
Avocado
Cheese
Nuts
Oil
Seeds
Fruits
Fresh fruit
Canned fruit in light syrup
Dried fruit
Flavors
Herbs
Ketchup
Mustard
Salt & Pepper
Salsa
Vinegar
Prefuel
​within an hour before game/practice
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Bananas
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Peaches
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Clementines
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Apples
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Apple squeeze packets
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Canned fruit/light syrup
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Carrots
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Pretzels
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Nutrigrain bars
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Granola bars
Refuel
​within 30 minutes after activity
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Hydrate
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Trail mix (nuts, raisins, granola)
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Kind bars
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Nuts & fruit
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Cheese sticks
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Yogurt
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Peanut butter & banana sandwich
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Tart cherry juice
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Big Sur/Phyter bars
Tournaments/Meets
Between games/races/sets
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Sports drink after 90 minutes
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Bananas/banana chips
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Raisins
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Apple squeeze packets
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Pretzels
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Granola bars
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Orange slices
Lunch Break
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Pick sandwiches over fast food
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Avoid cheese and greasy foods
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Grain/proteins/produce
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Avoid soda/caffeinated drinks/juice/slushy/sweentened teas