This could be a misconception of mine but I always thought swimmers should be ravenous after swim practice. My son (13) swims for 2-2.5 hours and does not want to eat dinner after practice. He eats about 30 minutes before he leaves for practice but it's not a huge meal. Most days he skips dinner and goes to sleep without eating anything. I am concerned because 1. shouldn't he re-fuel his body after practice? and 2. not sure he is getting enough nutrition to sustain the level of effort that is needed. At the same time I want to trust his body to let him know when and how much he needs to eat. When I ask him he will say he is not hungry. Any advice?
He is not interested. If I make him he will sit there picking at his food for an hour and will eat may be 1/4. It takes him about 45 minutes from the end of practice to get home so its not immediately after. I tried waiting an hour, two and three - he stills says he is not hungry.
Does he eat well otherwise? Is he losing weight? Does he have digestive system issues? Track his calories for a week, maybe he gets enough otherwise.
Is he doing two-a-days? Could be doing too much and be worn out. That kills appetite.
Does he sleep well?
Does he understand he needs to eat to maintain energy and recover?
"Not hungry" =/= "can't eat," millions of overweight people around the world can probably attest to that in some form or another.
Try a glass of chocolate milk! I would find it hard to not be either hungry OR thirsty, and the chocolate milk helps with carbs, fat and protein, all in one!
I was going to suggest that or a protein shake.
He is not interested. If I make him he will sit there picking at his food for an hour and will eat may be 1/4. It takes him about 45 minutes from the end of practice to get home so its not immediately after. I tried waiting an hour, two and three - he stills says he is not hungry.
Does he eat well otherwise? Is he losing weight? Does he have digestive system issues? Track his calories for a week, maybe he gets enough otherwise.
Is he doing two-a-days? Could be doing too much and be worn out. That kills appetite.
Does he sleep well?
Does he understand he needs to eat to maintain energy and recover?
"Not hungry" =/= "can't eat," millions of overweight people around the world can probably attest to that in some form or another.
Try a glass of chocolate milk! I would find it hard to not be either hungry OR thirsty, and the chocolate milk helps with carbs, fat and protein, all in one!
I was going to suggest that or a protein shake.
