Got a big game coming up? Being aware of what to eat —and why—helps you stay in control of how your body will perform, and could even affect whether or not you take home a win. Christopher Rivard of Bariatrix Nutrition in South Burlington, which researches and develops nutritional food products, breaks down what to eat when.

 

Morning before the game

It is important to combine complex carbohydrates with some fat and protein to make sure you have long- and short-term energy stored away. A bagel or toast is a good start.

Meal ideas:

-Two or three eggs and two pieces of wheat toast with peanut butter.

-A low-sugar cereal such as Total, and wheat toast with butter or peanut butter.

 

Snacking throughout the day

Load up on healthy, simple sugars and stay away from high-fiber foods, which can cause cramping or stomach pain.

Snack ideas:

Fig Newtons, bananas, dried cranberries.

 

Right before the game

Take in a lot of simple carbohydrates, like fruit. These will absorb and deliver the energy to your muscles much faster than complex carbs, like whole grains.

Simple carb ideas:

Kiwi, melon, oranges, strawberries, honey.

 

Rivard also suggests choosing real food over sports drinks, such as Gatorade, because it's actually too high in sugars and carbohydrates. 

“Your body will look at that super high concentrated carbohydrate and start actually digesting it, so then you're pulling energy from muscle activity to digest the food," Rivard said.

 

 

To publish something of your own, click here. Got a story idea? E-mail stephanie@fireflymag.com.