Proper nutrition is not just for athletes! BUT …
Who would know nutrition better than a Sport’s Nutritionist!
Traci has had the privilege of having conversations with many hockey greats, including Darryl Sittler, Ken Dryden, Cassie Campbell, Ron McLean and Don Cherry. After my coaching career I had the pleasure of doing evaluations/scouting for the National U18 Girls Team for years. Others say: ”One thing for sure is…Traci knows nutrition!”
How an athlete chooses to fuel their body can make a huge difference in being a good athlete and being an elite player. A team that follows a sound nutritional program will be able to compete at a much higher level than those teams that don’t.
For the athlete it should be all about preparation, the food ingested before and after each game or practice has a direct effect on performance. Getting the nutritional edge is going to be what separates a player from the others. Nutrition can be intimidating, as there is a lot to learn! It is best to start simple, a few small changes at a time, this way you will be successful. You will notice the changes in your energy very quickly and also your concentration, which in the game of hockey is key, as it is 90% mental and 10% physical.
Inadequate calories will accelerate fatigue, increase muscle breakdown and contribute to poor performance. So how should players prepare for each practice, game and the season?
Each player is uniquely different so you may have to experiment to see what works best for you. Some players need four hours to digest their pre-game meal while others may only require two. Having enough energy to fuel your athletic needs is key. Managing your nutritional needs also involves understanding your body’s needs.
“Diet cannot make an average athlete elite,
but improper diet can make an elite athlete average”
More to come on this page …nutrition is so important to All Of Us!