So in preparation for the ILMSA State Meet and for Nationals I feel it's important for us to take a moment to focus on the nutritional aspects our bodies need especially during competition.
Now - this comes from me - who when I usually give my list of events at a meet - people usually get bug eyed and ask if I'm positively insane. (You can sub "positively" with several other words ending in "ing"). That being said - I'm starting to feel like I've managed to capture that balance of nutrition during a meet that allows me to not feel bloated -but simultaneously - full of energy on the demands that I put on my body.
I personally don't do anything different with my diet before a meet. I feel that that only puts extra stress on your digestive system to adjust. During a meet - I pretty much strictly consume fruits (any will suffice, but I like bananas) and tons of water. After the meet - I love me some protein. Keeps me from over eating too.
What works for you? What do you eat? What do you drink? Is there something you eat before a meet? Something during? After? Perhaps this is something that can help you SFF Ande? ;)
I eat my "usual" for dinner the night before and don't vary from my usual eating routine in any way, which is to say that I avoid anything cheesy or greasy or meaty.
On meet day I have a specific routine:
Breakfast = I eat abagel with a little bit of cream cheese (or something similar), coffee, and a banana in the car on the way to the pool
At the meet = I bring two pb&j sandwiches cut into halves and I eat a half after every event along with a little chocolate soymilk. If there's a long time between events I might have a banana or orange or apple to tide me over
Before events = a small-ish cup of coffee about 15-20 min before my next event, constant sipping on water or diluted gatorade.
I have no idea if this routine is supported by any kind of science, but I never feel queasy at meets, I never feel hungry, and I always have plenty of energy.
I eat my "usual" for dinner the night before and don't vary from my usual eating routine in any way, which is to say that I avoid anything cheesy or greasy or meaty.
On meet day I have a specific routine:
Breakfast = I eat abagel with a little bit of cream cheese (or something similar), coffee, and a banana in the car on the way to the pool
At the meet = I bring two pb&j sandwiches cut into halves and I eat a half after every event along with a little chocolate soymilk. If there's a long time between events I might have a banana or orange or apple to tide me over
Before events = a small-ish cup of coffee about 15-20 min before my next event, constant sipping on water or diluted gatorade.
I have no idea if this routine is supported by any kind of science, but I never feel queasy at meets, I never feel hungry, and I always have plenty of energy.
