Should Swimmers Eat Before Early Morning Practice?
Should Swimmers Eat Before Early Morning Practice?
By Jill Castle, MS, RDN
When early morning swim practices begin, young swimmers can get behind on eating.
Take Henry, for example.
He was afraid to eat before morning practice, fearful of cramps or getting sick. So he didn’t eat anything, and ate a protein bar after practice on his way to school. By the time he returned home, he was exhausted, beyond hungry and playing catch-up, eating nearly everything in sight.
Many young swimmers make the mistake of skipping out on the early morning pre-workout meal. But what they don’t realize is that these first foods set the day’s eating cycle in motion. There are three main reasons to eat before early morning practice:
•Prevents symptoms of low blood sugar, such as light-headedness, blurry vision and fatigue.
•Settles the stomach, absorbing the gastric juices associated with an empty stomach, and reduces hunger.
•Offers up fuel for the muscles and brain.
For the full article click here.
Take Henry, for example.
He was afraid to eat before morning practice, fearful of cramps or getting sick. So he didn’t eat anything, and ate a protein bar after practice on his way to school. By the time he returned home, he was exhausted, beyond hungry and playing catch-up, eating nearly everything in sight.
Many young swimmers make the mistake of skipping out on the early morning pre-workout meal. But what they don’t realize is that these first foods set the day’s eating cycle in motion. There are three main reasons to eat before early morning practice:
•Prevents symptoms of low blood sugar, such as light-headedness, blurry vision and fatigue.
•Settles the stomach, absorbing the gastric juices associated with an empty stomach, and reduces hunger.
•Offers up fuel for the muscles and brain.
For the full article click here.
