What to Eat Before a Game.

This has always been an age old question for many parents with kids in sports. When kids are getting ready for a game it is very important that they have the proper nutrition so that their bodies will be able to perform at high levels of competition. Nutrition is the mainstay on how well a player will feel and preform in the game.

Carbohydrates are very important because they give the muscles the fuel they need to be involved in high intensity sports. Carbs will remain in your body up to 24 hours after consumption. So eating fruits, pasta, rice, bread and drinking fruit juices the night before provide the best forms of carbs to the athlete. There are many other forms of carbs that will also give you the same results. It has always been a tradition in our house to have some sort of pasta the night before competition.

Remember that carbohydrates digest fairly quickly compared to the other food groups. According to cyosports.org a pre-game meal one to three hours before, is the best time to eat a small meal. Remember it takes at least one hour for the body to digest carbs. A high amount of carbs should be eaten the night before competition. This will give the athlete plenty of time to digest and store the energy from the carbohydrates into the muscle which will be used during the game.

Proteins and fats should be consumed after a game because it helps with muscle growth. It also takes a lot longer to digest proteins and fats then it does carbs. If consumed before a game it may make the athlete more tired and lethargic. So try not to eat them before a game.