Coweta Game Day February 2020

The Importance of Good
Nutrition
for Young
Athletes!
By Bryon Blandlin
40097522
Millions of youth today participate
in some type of sporting event.
Whether it is football, swimming,
soccer, dance, ice hockey or
any other sport, very often
the importance of nutrition is
overlooked by both coaches and
parents. Good nutrition along
with adequate hydration and
proper vitamins and minerals
are essential for maximum
athletic performance. If these
are overlooked, the result can be
under performance or even more
critical is the increase in injury
and risk of dehydration. Sports
nutritionists stress the connection
between how young athletes play
and what they eat. By building
healthy eating habits, athletes
will be able to not only play to the
best of their ability, but also carry
over healthy eating habits later in
life. Young athletes are often told
that proper nutrition is like fueling
your car. In order to keep the
engine running you need to give
it gas. You wouldn’t add useless
or harmful ingredients to the gas
or your car wouldn’t run. When
sugary, fatty and processed
foods are added to your body,
your engines will simply not
run at their capacity. Parents
who are looking to help their
young athletes to improve their
performance should follow these
great tips.
1. Make sure you child eats a healthy
breakfast packed with eggs, cheese,
lean meats and whole grains. Whole
fruits are also a good choice. Stay
away from sugary cereals, pop tarts,
donuts, muffins, etc that provide no
nutritional value.
2. Increase your child’s water intake.
Proper hydration is essential for
athletic performance. Stay away
from sugary drinks including fruit
drinks, sugary sports drinks, soft
drinks, etc.
3. Eliminate Processed Foods. This
includes your stops at fast food
restaurants. Prepare fresh meals
that focus on whole foods including
fruits and vegetables.
4. Eliminate unhealthy snacks. Stop
serving chips, candy, cupcakes
and other sugary, processed snack
foods. Replace them with cut up
fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds,
yogurt or other healthy snacks.
5. Don’t buy foods your young athlete
shouldn’t eat. Bringing junk into
the home is a sure way to mess
up an athletic healthy eating plan.
Leave the junk on the shelf at the
supermarket.