Meet Day Menu

So, training has been going well, but maybe times aren't dropping on meet days?  It's easy to forget that how you fuel your body before & during competition can have a big impact on your races!  Here on the east coast it can be hard to fight cravings for some heavy comfort foods to warm you up during the during the cold winter months.  But, I encourage you to muster your willpower and make better choices.  Your body (and your coach) will thank you!

BREAKFAST - It's so easy to reach for your favorite everything bagel slathered with cream cheese and a glass of OJ on a meet morning, but there are some better options that will take the same amount of time.  Here are some quick fixes that I recommend: 
          OATMEAL & A PIECE OF FRESH FRUIT
          EGGS & A SLICE OR TWO OF WHOLE GRAIN TOAST
          WHOLE GRAIN CEREAL WITH MILK
          WHOLE GRAIN BAGEL TOPPED WITH PEANUT BUTTER
It may also seem appealing to eat a large, hearty meal to boost your energy level, but this tactic is a poor choice since you usually just end up feeling weighed down.  Some foods to avoid for breakfast on meet days are:  bacon, sausage, doughnuts or croissants (basically anything greasy, buttery or fried) and sugary cereals.  Sad, but true!

LUNCH - This is your recovery meal after morning warm-ups and events.  You want it to be light, yet rich in healthy carbs.  It's also important to avoid excessive amounts of proteins and fats since this can lead to bloating and take longer for your body to digest.  So, although it's great to support your local aquatics club, it's best to skip the pizza, hot dogs or homemade mac & cheese until after your events are over for the day!  Some easy options for lunch include:
          SANDWICH MADE WITH LEAN MEATS
          FRUITS
          CHEESE
          YOGURT
          MILK 
          WHOLE GRAIN RICE OR PASTA WITH VEGGIES 

SNACKS  - When you're at a meet for 4+ hours, meals are simply not enough.  You'll need a little something extra to keep your body fueled for the day.  If you're not eating a meal, try to be sure that you're noshing on something nutritious at least every 2 hours.  Here's a list of do's and don'ts to keep in mind when you're packing snacks
          do                                                                                                   don't
          ENERGY BARS (<10g fat & <35 cal sugar)               ENERGY BARS with high fat/sugar 
          WHOLE GRAIN PRETZELS                                             GOLDFISH, CHEESE NIPS, CHIPS
          NUTS, SEEDS, DRIED FRUIT                                           CANDY, COOKIES
          H2O or LOW SUGAR SPORTS DRINKS                     SODA or FRUIT JUICES
          STRAWBERRIES, APPLES, BLUEBERRIES             RAISINS, PINEAPPLE, GRAPES
          WHOLE GRAIN BREADS/CRACKERS                        WHITE FLOUR BREADS

DINNER  - For long meets or those that start in the afternoon, what you eat for dinner can be one of the most important choices that you make all day!  Try to get in a light dinner about two hours before you expect to compete.  Keep it low in fat, high in good carbs and only moderate in protein.  Include some veggies to boost the nutrient content.  If you're on the go, these are easy to grab before heading out the door or even pick up on the way:
          GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD with oil & vinegar
          WHOLE GRAIN PASTA WITH VEGGIES
          2 HARD BOILED EGGS, CUT UP VEGGIES, WHOLE GRAIN ROLL
          TURKEY BREAST SANDWICH lettuce, tomato & whole grain bread 
           
Hopefully, you've found my meet day menu helpful to give you a lottle extra boost.  After all, every tenth of a second counts!