Sports nutrition and health go hand in hand for Chad Hoffman, head wrestling and assistant football coach. “I have been interested in sports nutrition since college,” said Hoffman. “I noticed a big change in my performance during my college career when I was eating and drinking the right products.”
Hoffman advises the best way to have a good diet as an athlete is to “find out what works for you. If you’re an athlete, you need a high carbohydrate diet with plenty of fluids… Carbs are an excellent source of fuel for athletes. You want to stay away from the sugary drinks as much as possible. Stick to coconut water, pedialyte and water.”
According to Hoffman, it’s important to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and include snacks in between classes and practice. He also said it’s normal for athletes to have a higher calorie and fluid intake. “This is recommended. It truly is based on the athlete understanding their body and what sport they are participating in,” said Hoffman.
According to Champions Quest Varsity & College Prep Academy, “eating sugary foods offers no nutritional value and can also lead to an athlete “crashing” during a workout. High-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners can also promote fat buildup around important organs.”
To have a balanced diet Hoffman said, “Stay away from fast food, soda, anything with saturated and trans-fats, less caffeine, limit fiber intake to a certain extent, and start eating more fruit. Athletes should limit their fiber intake the day of competition due to athletes needing their fuel to act fast. Foods that are high in fiber typically take longer to digest. If an athlete has a fiber rich diet, this tends to result in an uneasy feeling in their stomach during competition. In my opinion, rice, oatmeal, eggs, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruit are some major foods that help with performance.” In addition, to replace lost electrolytes, Hoffman recommends bananas, dairy products and avocados.
“I don’t want to eat a full course, loaded carbohydrate meal before my football game. Ultimately, knowing your body and what fuels you well [and] gives you good quality energy. Hydration is key,” said Hoffman.