Fueling Student Athletes
Source/Author: Lynn Hayes, Dining Director
April 06, 2017
About 30% of teen athletes skip breakfast and 25% skip lunch. That’s a big mistake! Student athletes have different nutritional needs, especially on training and game days. To perform their best, they need the right fuel.
There are three key components to the ideal “performance plate”:
On training days, it’s recommended that athletes eat equal amounts of grains/starches, protein, and vegetables. But on game days, they need more energy. For intense training and competition, glucose stores need to be topped off. Eating moderate amounts of fiber, fat, and protein keep athletes satiated during a game.
With a new program called Performance Spotlight that SAGE Dining Services is launching this fall, their team of Registered Dietitians will construct ideal “performance plates” from the day’s offerings that incorporate the necessary nutrients in appropriate proportions for student athletes. They will include a healthy balance of lean protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. These plates will consider a range of activity levels and draw upon guidelines laid out by the United States Olympic Committee; the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group; and other major sports nutrition associations.
With this program, athletes won’t have to guess what to eat when faced with so many options in the dining hall. They can see the best options and portions from each day’s menu.
For more information on the three key components to the ideal “performance plate,” visit the SAGE blog.
There are three key components to the ideal “performance plate”:
- grains or starches
- proteins
- fruits and vegetables.
On training days, it’s recommended that athletes eat equal amounts of grains/starches, protein, and vegetables. But on game days, they need more energy. For intense training and competition, glucose stores need to be topped off. Eating moderate amounts of fiber, fat, and protein keep athletes satiated during a game.
With a new program called Performance Spotlight that SAGE Dining Services is launching this fall, their team of Registered Dietitians will construct ideal “performance plates” from the day’s offerings that incorporate the necessary nutrients in appropriate proportions for student athletes. They will include a healthy balance of lean protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. These plates will consider a range of activity levels and draw upon guidelines laid out by the United States Olympic Committee; the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group; and other major sports nutrition associations.
With this program, athletes won’t have to guess what to eat when faced with so many options in the dining hall. They can see the best options and portions from each day’s menu.
For more information on the three key components to the ideal “performance plate,” visit the SAGE blog.
