What do you eat on the day of the meet?

I always keep in mind that what I eat before competing probably won't help my races, but eating the wrong stuff can definitely hurt my races. I stick to my usual breakfast, cereal and toast, unless I am swimming really early. During a meet I like peanut butter crackers or fig newtons. Bananas don't swim well with me. At nationals, I like to go to the pool at 6:30 am when warm-up starts and the pool is less crowded. If I don't swim until later, I like to have breakfast after warm-up. If I swim early, I may just have toast and coffee. i learned in Indianapolis that just coffee isn't smart if you are swimming the 1500. I forgot the need to drink water before my race. No horrible consequences, but i felt bad after the race before I wised up and hydrated.

I don't know how helpful this would be, but I thought I would share Gatorade Sports Science- Choosing High Performance Foods While Traveling

Haha yeaaa, but mine is after consumption of a few beers. :chug: The funny thing is I'm not joking. I doubt I will actually do it, by going to a meet with a very mild hangover, but I'm guessing certain levels of wine in the body raises testoserone, which easily explains changes in output I commonly note. Back on topic, as far as my plan for nutritian, the day prior will consist of 4 small meals with veggies, meats, breads and etc (lunch will include a 12oz can of garbonzo beans for proper bouancy). The day of the meet will consist of banana's, bagels, and protein/creatine supplement while avoiding greasy and spicy foods that can upset the stomach and fruits that ferment in the upper gut (i.e., apples, citrus). For hydration I plan to drink just a little more the day prior but no more than usuall on race day - don't want to stand on the blocks with a full bladder. I'll see how this goes:)

I try to eat a bigger than normal breakfast and keep it pretty easy to digest. Scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, fruit, oatmeal, etc. I try to drink lots of water or diluted gatorade at the meet and bring the following to snack on: Power bars, gel shots, string cheese, grapes or other fruit, trail mix, maybe some low fat crackers. I tend to drink lots and eat sparingly - but need to have some stuff available. If the meet is short, say 3 hours or less, I might not eat anything. If it's all day, I will usually snack a bit. I know I can swim on a fairly full tummy - I did all the time as a kid. But it feels better to not have too much in my stomach. --mj

I plan on eating here for ALL of my pre-meet meals when I swim in Atlanta this spring for Nationals. Seriously, I try to eat foods that are easy on the stomach, nothing too crazy. You must try the Varsity some night after your events! This is an Atlanta destination!

coffee, cliff bars, water..... shot of gel 10 mins before a distance event. electrolytes if its hot. Wonder how soon one(gel) would take it before swimming a shorter event, like 100/200's?

Katie, planning in sinking in Atlanta? hee-hee. Glad to see you'll be there, too. The Varsity won't make you sink. Your arteries on the other hand may need some help afterwards though.

Still waiting for the pre-meet nutritian experience. But on the topic of alcohol I have noticed I perform better the next day following a night of wine consumption. Not a glass or two but a whole bottle and the cheaper the better. Anyone else experince this? Haha yeaaa, but mine is after consumption of a few beers. :chug:

Rob... since you are my friend and I love you dearly, I am going to tell you that this is one of THE WORST plans I have ever read! I never said it was the right thing to do... it's just what I do. I even went and bought some goofy gel things recently in an attempt to at least eat those and I can't bring myself to do it. BTW, you're welcome for all the vegetables :)

I always focus on the "right" carbs starting three days before the meet. But I try not to over do it. I avoid all forms of greasy or spice foods. No carbonated drinks. This past weekend I swam tappered at the TYR meet in Chicago. btw -- a great venue... I started eating 2 or three bananas a day throughout the week leading up to the meet. I also forced myself to drink extra water for three days prior to the meet. Then on the day of the meet I am very careful about quantity. I eat small quantities but just enough to keep my sugar level balanced. I find just the right amount of fruit starting in the morning and right after warmup. It replenishes my simple sugars without making me feel "heavy". I avoid energy bars and complex carbs, which are harder to digest. A great combination includes strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Then I add a large banana early in the morning plus after each race i have 1/4 to 1/2 a banana (small amounts). Add to that gatorade-like drink to stay hydrated-almost constantly. Not large amounts, but consistent hydration is key. At the meet this past weekend, my regiment worked perfectly. I felt great before and after the races. The key for me is to guage my intake based on how my stomach feels. It comes down to personal preference, but a balance / consistent sugar level most important to me. I use good old-fashion mother nature (fruit) to accomplish that balance. "Winning is a state-of-mind"