Soccer Mom Tips

What are you feeding your child before their soccer game? Is it helping them play better or is it just weighing them down? There are a variety of different routes you can take when it comes to getting your young athlete into proper shape and ready for that big game. But starting off with good nutrition is essential, and should not just be on a part time basis.

Some food items you might want to stay away from prior to the big game are steak, roast beef, hamburgers, or hot dogs, because all of these types of meat sit in the stomach and weigh your child down. A better choice of a pre-game meal would consist of turkey, fish, or chicken. Other things to avoid prior to a big game are chocolate, donuts, and sodas because of their sugar content. The first two items give your child a sugar rush followed by a crash, and the energy that sodas give is quickly used up.

It works out much better if you give your child a balanced meal prior to a game. A meal that consist of protein (chicken, fish, or turkey), carbohydrates (from fruit and vegetables), and water to keep them properly hydrated is what will help them do their best on the field. Try replacing one or two of their sodas a day with a glass of water.

Also, try to get all the required vitamins and minerals into your young star through the foods they consume versus using vitamin and mineral supplements. This can easily be done by making sure they eat the required amounts of foods from the four major food groups. Do your best to set a good example for your children, and eat healthily along with them.