Eating For Performance...

Another post that is worth bringing up: eating for performance. While we are not going in depth calorie counting or watching our weight, it is important to consume proteins and other foods which will give you energy to "show your stuff" out on the softball diamond!

Suggested Pre-Exercise Foods
Eating before exercise is something only the athlete can determine based upon experience, but some general guidelines include eating a solid meal 4 hours before exercise, a snack or a high carbohydrate energy drink 2 to 3 hours before exercise, and...(sports drink) 1 hour before exercise.

1 hour or less before intense workout/competition

• fruit or vegetable juice such as orange, tomato, or V-8, and/or
• fresh fruit such as apples, watermelon, peaches, grapes, or oranges and/or
• Energy gels
• up to 1 1/2 cups of a sports drink.

2 to 3 hours before intense workout/competition

• fresh fruit
• fruit or vegetable juices
• bread, bagels
• low-fat yogurt
• sports drink

3 to 4 hours before intense workout/competition

• fresh fruit
• fruit or vegetable juices
• bread, bagels
• pasta with tomato sauce
• baked potatoes
• energy bar
• cereal with low-fat milk
• low-fat yogurt
• toast/bread with limited peanut butter, lean meat, or low-fat cheese
• 30 oz of a sports drink

Information retrieved from http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportsnutrition/a/EatForExercise.htm.


For more nutrition information, check out StackMagazine's article: Baseball Nutrition Plan.

Overall, eating the right foods at the right times is crucial. #1 HYDRATE as much as possible. Water is the BEST thing for you, no matter what the commercials say. And #2: eat the right foods before competition, pack peanut butter crackers or trailmix on-the-go.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to call or email me!