2012 Youth Coaching Manual - AFL Community

Chapter 11
Nutrition
The value of good nutrition is well-recognised and appreciated by footballers at all levels of the game. Young footballers have
specific nutrition needs for optimal health, growth, and exercise demands. Due to the rapid growth during adolescence, more
kilojoules, protein and vitamins and minerals are required. Every adolescent is different. There is not one set of golden rules.
However, there are some basic strategies that adolescents can use to achieve the right nutrition balance. A well-balanced diet
will ensure adequate nutrition for growth, training and maintenance of a healthy body composition.
The coach needs to:
• Know how to access good advice about sports nutrition.
• Organise information sessions for parents using credible nutrition resources.
• Ensure that appropriate food and fluids are available during road-trips and camps.
• Encourage healthy body composition but avoid overstating the need for a particular body shape, percentage body fat or fad
diet to achieve potential.
nutrient Requirements during adolescence
An increased requirement for nutrients during adolescence is necessary to cope with the major growth changes taking place
from the ages of about 11 to 19. Meeting needs can be a challenge at a time when nutrition is not always a priority!
• Adolescents are inclined to experiment with fast foods and food fads, which can result in an unbalanced diet.
• Adolescents express their newly found independence by giving up some of the family food habits and developing their own
style.
• Remember, it is the total diet that counts. Adolescents will eat some of the high-fat snacks and takeaways, but encourage
them to keep these foods for occasional extras and to balance their eating using the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
as a guide.
• Emphasise good food as part of a healthy lifestyle.
• Education and information about the best choices for meals and snacks are important at this time.
• Since appetite depends on growth and activity levels, it is natural for it to vary from day to day. Adolescents need to
be flexible in the quantity of foods consumed at different times. Eating to appetite is a good indicator, however active
adolescents may need to eat more than their appetite dictates.
Players should be aware of the impact of nutrition and the basic guidelines to follow for optimal health, performance and
recovery from training and competition.
AFL Youth Coaching Manual
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