By Lisa Meyer
From The Desk Of Joyce Wellhoefer
Like baby birds falling from their nest, many incoming college athletes must learn how to spread their wings and survive on their own. Besides the initial adjustment of a new living space and daily routine, maintaining a well balanced diet is at stake for newly independent athletes. For most athletes, it is very important to stay away from a food free-for-all, and focus on staying healthy for competition. Ensuring day to day healthy eating habits can make a big difference come competition time, and by continuing to feed their body the right fuels swimmers are more likely to stay consistent in the pool. Once they are on their own, it is up to the athlete to decide whether they will take responsibility for their performance or go off the deep end. With a collaborated effort from the athlete, parents, and coaches, the athlete should be able to mimic their previous habits (i.e. getting enough sleep, fluids, and eating the right foods for most energy) and apply them to their new lifestyle.
On meet days, it is important to pack pre and post snacks. This means that snacks need to be available before the race and during recovery time. Wayne Goldsmith, author of A Guide for Swimmers, Coaches, Parents and Clubs says that foods such as fruits and sandwiches are good to have on hand when a meet overlaps the time of a usual meal, especially since it is “unlikely you can ruin the appetite of a competitive swimmer.”
Goldsmith continues by demonstrating the difference between an athlete and an average person’s diet. “Athletes, by their actions, are above average people. They choose to push themselves to their limits and in doing so are ‘high performance’ human beings. Just as High Performance motor vehicles use a high grade, high octane fuel, ‘high performance humans’ need the best possible fuel to perform at their best.”
Once the swimmer has raced, they should drink fluids (water, sports drinks) immediately because their bodies are more susceptible to absorb the fluids. If possible, they should also eat ten minutes after competing to regain some energy.
One important strategy for a swimmer is to develop a set eating plan depending on their swim practice and meet times. Even if this means waking up before early morning practices, eating, and then returning to bed, having that set meal intake can only help come practice or competition time. It really depends on how the athlete feels most comfortable. However that may be, they should try and develop a set schedule so their bodies become attuned to their athletic routine. Keeping up with their diet and remaining focused is the key to a good performance. It is just the matter of setting boundaries and creating realistic nutritional expectations to keep swimmers on point.
Source: http://www.swim.shetland.co.uk/Information/SwimEats1.htm
