Nutrition

What is Nutrition?

Nutrition means eating the right kind of food so you can grow properly, be healthy, and perform your best in both sport and life.

Proper nutrition for youth sports can be achieved simply by encouraging athletes to:

• • Eat a good breakfast to start the day

• Consume a balanced meal (with carbs, proteins, and fats) three-to- four hours before playing their sport
• Eat a carb-heavy snack within 30 minutes after exercising
• Add carbs, protein, and some healthy fats to post-exercise meals
• Avoid supplements and rely instead on protein from food sources
• Know that the best post-workout remedy comes from both proper nutrition and adequate rest

Watch this TrueSport talk with DeeDee Trotter or read the lesson aloud

Track and field Olympic gold medalist DeeDee Trotter shares her personal story about how nutrition played a major part in her success at the 2012 London Olympics. Every Olympian knows the importance of nutrition and implementing a plan for eating the proper foods at the right time for peak performance. With DeeDee’s nutrition plan, she ate a simple breakfast consisting of yogurt, a banana, and an orange, giving her enough fuel and energy for the start of her day. For lunch, DeeDee ate a turkey sandwich with cheese and lettuce. This wasn’t a lot, but enough to get her ready for her evening event, the 400-meter run. After winning a bronze medal in this event, DeeDee ate grilled chicken with steamed broccoli and rice for dinner. She knew this meal was vital for recovery while also preparing her for the next day’s event: the 4 x 100-meter relay. “You will have an empty performance on an empty stomach,” says DeeDee. “A TrueSport athlete understands that nutrition is the key to maximizing performance and reaching your personal podium.”

1. What was the main point you took away from the lesson?

2. Do you have a favorite pre-game or recovery meal?

3. Do you think you could improve your nutritional habits?
If so, what things could you do?