Match Day Nutrition

Match Day Nutrition - The Importance of Fuelling Up

 

Does it really matter what I eat before a game? 

It matters a great deal. Your body is like a high performance engine, finely balanced and finely tuned. If you want to get maximum performance you need to feed it the right fuel before, during and after each session. Much like a high performance sports car, it need the right fuel and oil.

Pre Match

Fuelling up on carbohydrates (wholemeal pasta, rice, potato, wholegrain cereal) the night before and again at breakfast will maximize the amount of energy your muscles can store.   Glucose is the fuel of the body and glycogen is stored-up glucose. Unlike chocolate (and fizzy  drinks) which give a short lived energy boost, good fuelling from carbohydrate loading  will  sustain energy longer, delaying fatigue.   

 

During Match

After an intense first half, energy levels start to fall. Low blood sugar reduces performance, affecting skill, stamina and concentration. It’s important to refuel as quickly as possible:

Half time- a snack of banana will boost energy in the 2nd half improving concentration and performance. Bananas are high in vitamin B (needed for energy) and potassium important for muscle function.

 

Post-match –

Refuel within half an hour of play. Delaying refuelling by longer than half an hour may delay muscle recovery. A drink of whole milk or healthy snack helps the body recover.

Follow snack with a well-balanced meal (Protein, carbohydrate & veg) ideally within two hours.

 

 

A few facts about milk:

Effective for rehydration - Milk is an excellent source of calcium and contains potassium; both important nutrients that need to be replaced after strenuous exercise.

Improves endurance - In one scientific study, those given skimmed milk cycled for 9 minutes longer than those given fluid replacement drinks

Helps build muscle tissue - The protein in milk helps build muscle and aids recovery. Milk’s high content of protein and carbohydrate can help refuel exhausted muscles.

 

Example Diet Ideas

BEFORE THE GAME

Whole-wheat cereals                                                                                                                      

Porridge / muesli                                                                                                                    

Wholemeal toast with peanut butter/banana 

 

DURING THE GAME

Banana                                                                                                                                            

Raisins, dried fruit 

Cereal bar                                                                                                                                      

Flapjacks, Granola bar                                                                                                                        

Water / mild squash 

 

 

POST MATCH SNACK

Banana                                                                                                                                            

Yoghurt/ fruit smoothie                                                                                                      

 Nuts & pulses, raisins  and seeds                                                                                                      

Oatcakes                                                                                                                                            

 

DINNER

Chicken and vegetable pasta bake

Spaghetti bolognaise Lean turkey mince) & salad

Three bean Chilli con carne, rice, salad

Dahl (lentils) rice & salad

Grilled fish, potato, veg

Chicken, noodles stir fry & veg

Vegetable curry &, rice & yoghurt 

 

JW CORE

www.jwcorept.co.uk