A well-balanced diet containing appropriate amounts of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is essential to provide enough energy for growth and activity. Fluids are also essential for hydration to support growth and athletic performance

Stefanie Senior, BSc., Registered Dietitian, discusses Meal Planning For Maximum Energy During Sport.

Nanci Guest, MSc, RD, CSCS, Registered Dietitian, discusses Sports Injuries and Diet – Consider Foods With Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Well, one of the most important things is timing, and so a lot of athletes hesitate to get up too early before their event because they are nervous of being tired during their event and to eat a substantial breakfast.

And so they may rely on something quick and simple before they head out for their event. Ideally you actually want to eat something three to four hours before an event, and that’s not always realistic.

But if you have the time to do that you definitely want to make sure that you’re consuming a meal or large snack that is focusing on carbohydrate. So that could be oatmeal, that could be a muesli type cereal, that could be a Sparta grain bread, another type of low sugar but high carbohydrate breakfast cereal, fruit is a great, and then you want to make sure that it is low in fat, low in fiber, and then moderate in protein.

So you could have depending on the timing of the meal you could add some eggs or have some Greek yogurt or cottage cheese something higher in protein. But that shouldn’t be the basis of your meal. It should more be a garnish to your pre-event meal.

So if you’re looking at the snack right before, you want to make sure it’s something that is easy to digest, and that you are going to be able to absorb to benefit from it during your event. So that would be a quick-acting carbohydrate, so that could be something like a banana or a sports drink.

So for a detailed sports nutrition plan that outlines what to consume before an event, contact a local dietitian to help you out.

Presenter: Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian, Toronto, ON

Local Practitioners: Registered Dietitian

Lauren K. Williams, M.S., Registered Dietitian, discusses travel nutrition for athletes over 50.

For adults, it’s important to plan ahead before you leave for your athletic competition.

Whether it be by bus, by airplane or just driving to a different city for a competition that day, make sure to pack a cooler full of snacks. Even if you don’t think you’re gonna need that much, great things to pack such as hard-boiled eggs, an excellent source of protein, low-fat cottage cheese.

For your carbohydrate sources, things like whole grain breads, so sandwiches are an excellent option. Also fruits and veggies. Again, apples and oranges and bananas don’t need a lot of refrigeration, so they’re an excellent source of your good carbohydrates to pack for that competition. Also things like yogurt and pairing some berries with that before your competition are very easy to travel with.

During your competition for those adult athletes, making sure again, you’re replenishing your electrolytes and your carbohydrates throughout that competition. Grapes and oranges are excellent. These are gonna be better options than things like cookies or candy, things that are really high in that refined sugar.

Avoid high fat and high fiber foods pre-competition and during competition as this will delay digestion, and you wanna make sure that you’re getting those energy stores very quickly into your body to be able to use them.

Post-competition, again, same concepts. The carbohydrates and protein are important for energy, as well as muscle repair. Focus on water or sports drinks or diluted fruit juices. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages like pops, teas, coffee as well as alcohol as this will delay the recovery process in your body. Making sure you’re getting that adequate nutrition before you have other types of food.

Restaurant options, again, either pre-game or post-game, look for something like a deli that you can actually make your own sandwich that way you get to pick and choose what’s going onto your sandwich, making sure it’s healthy options, or a salad bar is an excellent option as well. Grocery stores also have great options there, so you can eat like you do when you’re at home.

For more information on the traveling athlete tips for the adult, contact your local sports nutritionist or your local registered dietitian with a sports expertise.

Presenter: Ms. Lauren K. Williams, Registered Dietitian, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Registered Dietitian

Lauren K. Williams, M.S., Registered Dietitian, discusses travel nutrition for adult athletes.

Lauren K. Williams, M.S., Registered Dietitian, discusses weight control for athletes.