What is the best food to eat before an athletic event?
It's best to have high glycemic index foods during or after exercise (such as glucose, potatoes, bagels, raisins, oatmeal, sugar) and stick with low to moderate index foods before exercise (pasta without sauce, chocolate milk, PowerBar, green beans, yogurt, apples, less ripe bananas), especially if you are eating ...
Pre-Event Meals
All meals should have enough calories to cover the expended energy an athlete uses during the competition. However, most of those calories should come from complex carbohydrates such as cereal, pasta, and potatoes.
It's important to avoid foods that are high-fat. That means no fried foods, bacon, sausage, ribs, ribeye steak, fast food, lasagna, fettuccini alfredo, cheese-based soups or foods made with butter or heavy cream. Also avoid foods high in fiber, as they will cause gas and bloating.
Choose energy-packed foods such as whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese, tortilla wraps with veggies and lean meat, hard-boiled eggs, vegetable or bean soups, small boxes of non-sugary cereal, fresh fruit, mini-whole wheat bagels with peanut butter, pita bread with hummus or pasta with grilled chicken.
Examples of appropriate pre-exercise meals and snacks include cereal and low-fat milk, toast/muffins/crumpets, fruit salad and yoghurt, pasta with tomato-based sauce, a low-fat breakfast or muesli bar, or low-fat creamed rice.
Other good sources of low fat, carbohydrate-rich foods for marathon runners, triathletes, or endurance athletes include fruit, sports drinks, quinoa, beans, lentils, oats, corn, and potatoes (although be careful with the fiber-rich foods like beans and lentils if they cause digestive discomfort … you don't want to be ...
- 4 hours Pre Game. Eat a meal high in whole grain carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fat. Be sure to have at least 20 ounces of fluids. Grilled chicken. ...
- 1 hour Pre Game. Be sure to have snack high in carbohydrate. Avoid foods that are high in protein or fat (they take a while to digest and may upset your stomach)
You should eat your protein bar one to two hours prior – this will ensure that you have metabolised everything your body needs, and you can workout without having just eaten. It is generally recommended that if you are going more than 4 hours between meals, eating a snack will help to sustain your energy levels.
- Garlic. Garlic may be an obvious food to avoid that can ruin your breath but it can actually make a mark on more than just in your mouth. ...
- Onions. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Coffee. ...
- Sugar. ...
- Dairy. ...
- Horseradish. ...
- Cruciferous Vegetables.
The best fuel for exercise is carbohydrates, preferably “complex” ones like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Healthy fats from fish, nuts, vegetable oils, and avocados can help fuel endurance sports like long-distance running.
Is peanut butter good to eat before games?
Peanut butter has protein (8 grams) and fat (16 grams) for fuel that lasts. This is extremely important to athletes who may practice for hours or compete in sports where they must be on the court, course, or field all day.
The day before a big event, make sure that you aren't eating salt heavy foods. Keep your meals light and filled with lots of protein, complex carbs and vegetables which will keep you from being bloated the following day. Instead of snacking late into the night take a bath, relax and go to bed early.

Choose higher-carbohydrate foods such as bagels, pasta, fruits, yogurts, cereal with low-fat milk, peanut butter, sports drinks, granola bars, french toast, sub sandwiches, baked potatoes with chili, smoothie made with fruit, fruit juice, yogurt, and frozen yogurt.
- Tacos and Mini Margaritas.
- Charcoal Lemonade.
- Mini Pails of Food.
- Floral Ice Bucket.
- Bacon Bar.
- Share Boards.
- Willy Wonka-sized Chocolate Fountain.
- Savory “Lollipops”
Start carb loading between three and six days in advance of your event. Any less won't be as effective and longer won't help more. Increase your carb intake each day, maxing out at 70% to 90% carbs in the two or three days before the race. Aim for about five grams of carbs per pound of body weight.
- Control stress. Stress-induced emotions consume huge amounts of energy. ...
- Lighten your load. One of the main reasons for fatigue is overwork. ...
- Exercise. Exercise almost guarantees that you'll sleep more soundly. ...
- Avoid smoking. ...
- Restrict your sleep. ...
- Eat for energy. ...
- Use caffeine to your advantage. ...
- Limit alcohol.
- Don't forget to sleep. Get some good rest the night before a game. ...
- Start with a good breakfast and lunch. ...
- H20 is your friend, so drink lots of it. ...
- Sports drinks to the rescue. ...
- Beware of energy drinks. ...
- Keep snacks on deck. ...
- Halftime = break time. ...
- Practice makes perfect.
Night Before the Game: Carb-load and Avoid New Foods
Starchy foods like whole-wheat pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, broccoli, and grilled chicken offer a carbohydrate-rich meal that will provide the right fuel for the next day's event and protein to fuel recovery. Broccoli adds calcium, vitamins A and C.
Well it's true! Start the day with a breakfast containing carbs (such as whole-wheat bread or cereal) and a source of protein (such as eggs, yogurt, or milk). Oatmeal made with milk; last night's dinner leftovers; an egg sandwich; or a smoothie made with fruit, yogurt, and milk are all great breakfast choices.
Protein plays an important role in repairing and rebuilding your muscles after exercise, and many people use protein shakes after their workouts to aid this process. However, research suggests it doesn't matter whether you drink a protein shake before or after your workout.
How do I get a flat stomach before an event?
- Eat regular meals through the day. You might think that your stomach will flatten if you skip a meal. ...
- Keep eating fibre-rich foods. ...
- But avoid high-fat foods. ...
- Don't chew gum. ...
- Steer clear of smoothies and fruit juices. ...
- Be careful of portion sizes. ...
- Go for a walk. ...
- Drink peppermint tea.
Eat the right things
Bauer cites eggs, veggies like mushrooms and asparagus and lean proteins like chicken and fish as "good" foods to eat leading up to a red carpet event like the Oscars. And carbs can still be on the menu, too.
Nutritionists recommend a bigger meal with plenty of fluids like water for what to eat before a game. Your plate should be about half starches, a quarter protein, and a quarter non-starch vegetables. Pasta, rice, potatoes, grilled chicken, sandwiches, pork chops, green beans, and asparagus are all great options.
If you are feeling fatigued, eating foods rich in vitamin B12 or taking a supplement might just boost your energy levels.
Some foods take more energy to break down than others, and this can slightly increase metabolism. For example, fat takes less energy to digest than proteins and carbs. Proteins have the highest TEF out of the three macronutrients.
Peanut butter
Not only do peanuts contain protein, which is converted into energy, but it is also a carbohydrate. Certain types of carbohydrates are converted into quick energy. Consuming a little bit of peanut butter just before working out can give you the little boost you need to get through it.
The Bottom Line
The best beverage for sustained energy levels throughout the day is not coffee—it's actually water. Be sure to sip H20 throughout the day. Other drinks, like matcha tea and smoothies, can be used to perk you up, too.
Eating yogurt as part of a balanced diet is important and it can provide you with a very healthy and beneficial breakfast before a big game. Being a dairy product, it provides you with a good source of calcium, a significant mineral to both bone and muscle strength.
There's a reason so many elite athletes turn to PB&Js for their pre-game or halftime meal—it works. The simple carbs give players fast energy; the modest amount of protein helps them stay strong without weighing them down; and the sodium helps them stay hydrated.
A small amount of low fat protein can settle the stomach and stay around long enough to prevent hunger - try cottage cheese, 1-2 eggs, milk and combine it with some sort of carbohydrate for best results.
How do you crash diet before an event?
For a week before your event, you can swap out the starchy carbs for more non-starchy vegetables to lose some water weight. Aim for filling at least half of your plate with non-starchy veggies like asparagus, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, kale, cucumbers, and more.
Bread/toast, bagel, peanut butter, fruit without skin (banana), pulp-free fruit juice or sports drink for a pre-race breakfast. Rice, pasta, lean meat, starchy vegetables, fruits for “carbo-loading” at least three days before the race. For hydration, drink 500 to 700 ml of fluid about three hours before the race.
It's down to the wire, so eat mostly lean protein and healthy fats. Eat lots of vegetables, but stay away from cruciferous vegetables that can leave you bloated and gassy. Carbonated drinks and gum can also cause bloat. Cut out carbohydrates, fruits, sugar (or sugar-free products), greasy foods, salty foods and dairy.
Protein is vital for muscle repair and energy. But just with a focus on good sources of protein foods in the diet such as eggs, beans and legumes, dairy foods, lean meat and fish, even a weightlifter can meet their extra protein needs from the extra volume of food eaten from training demands.
Foods such as white rice, bananas, berries, pasta, rice cakes, and pineapple can meet the criteria above and be an effective post-workout fuel. In contrast, simple carbs such as candy can also give you an insulin boost but don't have very many nutrients that your body needs.
- Greek Yogurt and Quinoa Parfait. ...
- Cottage Cheese with Fruit and Nuts. ...
- Hard-Boiled Eggs. ...
- Protein Shake or Smoothie. ...
- Tuna and Avocado on Rice Cakes. ...
- Hummus with Veggies. ...
- Deli Rollups. ...
- Beef or Turkey Jerky.
- Classic Lasagna. ...
- Sloppy Joes. ...
- Beef Stew with Carrots & Potatoes. ...
- Baked Penne with Spinach, Ricotta & Fontina. ...
- White Chicken Chili. ...
- Gail Simmons' Epic Spaghetti Pie. ...
- Spinach & Cheese Strata. ...
- Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit & Capers.
- 1 Vegetable Curry.
- 2 Cheese And Tomato Pasta Bake.
- 3 Beetroot Hummus Platter.
- 4 Chicken Parmesan Casserole.
- 5 Baked Camembert And Doughball Platter.
- 6 Grilled Chicken Sandwiches.
- 7 Cinnamon Rolls.
- 8 Mini Pizzas.
The day before a big event, make sure that you aren't eating salt heavy foods. Keep your meals light and filled with lots of protein, complex carbs and vegetables which will keep you from being bloated the following day. Instead of snacking late into the night take a bath, relax and go to bed early. The morning of.
Teams that must play more than one game per day or play in the evening and again in the morning should consume pregame meals that are high in carbohydrate, low in fat, and low in fiber. Breakfasts may include toast or bagels with jam, a small stack of pancakes with syrup, or ready-to-eat cereal with skim milk.
Why do athletes eat a high carb meal before an event?
Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy for athletic events. Carbohydrate feedings before exercise can help to restore glycogen stores, which may be called upon during prolonged training and in high-intensity competition.
NFL players typically eat a large pre-game meal in addition to breakfast. Lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats are common components of this meal, with an emphasis on eating items that won't cause gastrointestinal distress.
- Cut The Carbs, Sugar, and Sodium. When it comes to my day-to-day, I follow the 90/10 way of eating. ...
- Ditch High-Calorie Drinks. ...
- Drink Lots Of Water Instead. ...
- Get Moving. ...
- Meditate. ...
- Nourish Your Skin. ...
- Exfoliate. ...
- Sleep.
You may be familiar with obvious foods to avoid before a run such as pizza, fried foods, and anything loaded with sugar and empty calories. However, you might be surprised to learn that some of the foods you thought would be a healthy option are actually among the worst things to grab before hitting the streets.
Night Before the Game: Carb-load and Avoid New Foods
Starchy foods like whole-wheat pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, broccoli, and grilled chicken offer a carbohydrate-rich meal that will provide the right fuel for the next day's event and protein to fuel recovery.
- Wholegrain cereal with milk or yoghurt and fruit.
- Toast with eggs or baked beans.
- Sandwich with simple fillings.
- Chicken and vegetable risotto.
- Beef stir-fry with noodles.
Before a game, LeBron James typically has a meal that is high in carbohydrates and protein. His pre-game meal often consists of a plate of pasta, grilled chicken, and a salad. He also likes to have a protein shake and some fruit to provide him with key nutrients.
Start carb loading between three and six days in advance of your event. Any less won't be as effective and longer won't help more. Increase your carb intake each day, maxing out at 70% to 90% carbs in the two or three days before the race. Aim for about five grams of carbs per pound of body weight.
The ideal order to eat this type of meal would be vegetables first, followed by the protein, and finish with the carbs. It is likely that this order reduces blood sugar levels following a meal due to preloading of high fiber-containing vegetables, which slows down digestion.
Tom Brady's Pre-game Diet Routine
“I wake up and drink 20 ounces of water with electrolytes”. After this, Brady likes to have a high-protein, high-fat smoothie that consists of seeds, bananas, nuts, blueberries, and plant-based protein powder.
What foods are high in protein for football players?
“Try not to mix different kinds of high protein foods such as meat, cheese, meat and eggs. A great option is poached eggs on whole grain toast – a firm favourite of many professionals.” Head into any professional football club's canteen and you'll be met with an array of lean protein dishes.
Having a small snack two hours before your soccer game is also helpful. Bananas are a great option for a pre-game snack due to their high Potassium level. Potassium helps prevent cramping in athletes.