Meet day nutrition - Page 2

**audra** · 03-11-2007, 09:45 PM

Its definitely worth a try!

Cascade · 03-12-2007, 10:24 AM

Thanks for all the great advice...at yesterday's meet she started at eight and wasn't finished until after 1:00 in the afternoon and she definitely was running out of steam by the last event. I was thinking along the same lines as the banana and cheerios but may try some of the other suggestions as well. Thanks again!

gym law mom · 03-14-2007, 05:20 PM

Just wanted to add that hydration is as important as the food they put in their tummies. Since we're at 6800 ft., it is very important to make sure the girls drink quite a bit before the meet(yeah, then the whole issue of multiple potty breaks!) and get some water during the meet. I would say stay away from the "sports" drinks like Gatorade. They are loaded with sugar and are meant more for atheletes who are in constant motion--runners, soccer, basketball etc. The best drink is plain water, but most kids get tired of it quickly. Try adding a slice or 2 of lemon or lime---will give it some flavor. I've also caved and put in powdered Crystal Light mix(artificial sweeteners). As long as that will get her to drink it. Once they complain they're thirsty, they are already very mildly dehydrated.

As for food, beef jerkey in the gym bag seems to be the snack of choice. I have found out that meets like the school cafeteria is a time for swapping snacks. What you may pack as a nice wholesome snack may end up being eaten by a teammate. If we have a drive of over an hour and then the girls have the traditional warm up, I usually throw in a Lunchable. At least she can nibble the crackers, meat etc. Usually she eats on the light side the day of a meet and they are all famished when the meet is over.

**JBS** · 03-14-2007, 10:24 PM

We always used to have homemade beef jerky at the meets, too. Totally agree with the water.

We also had little snacks (like cheeseburgers) hidden in our gym bags for the meets. What can I say, teenage guys are pigs.

gracefulone · 03-15-2007, 05:38 PM

A long time ago, in a magazine article(one that my mom reads), it said that lunchables were on the top ten worst things to pack in your kids lunch list.

**audra** · 03-16-2007, 01:35 PM

things like Lunchables have extra sodium and preservatives in them, they help them stay good longer. Of course they are not as good as a homemade snack, if it was a choice of a turkey sandwich, or a lunchable with turkey, cheese and crackers of course the sandwich is better. But if a Lunchable will get eaten before the sandwich pack the Lunchable.

gym law mom · 03-17-2007, 12:14 PM

I would love for my child to eat nothing but healthy snacks and meals, but in the real world I know it won't happen. She is not a sandwich kid--just doesn't like them, so taking a lunchable or something like it along for her to nibble on seems to work, so she has something in her stomach that isn't too heavy before the meet.

**audra** · 03-17-2007, 01:41 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by gym law mom I would love for my child to eat nothing but healthy snacks and meals, but in the real world I know it won't happen. She is not a sandwich kid--just doesn't like them, so taking a lunchable or something like it along for her to nibble on seems to work, so she has something in her stomach that isn't too heavy before the meet.

We all wish they would pick the healthy snack, but even as adults do we do it. As has been stated giving them something they will actually eat goes a long way. The snack that stays in the bag doesn't do anybody good.