|
Post by carson101 on Mar 23, 2006 10:14:34 GMT -6
Do you advocate a solid routine in meal preparation for your athletes and the foods that can hurt them. i.e supplements and are there alternatives that you recommend.
|
|
|
Post by wildcat on Mar 23, 2006 10:44:34 GMT -6
Coach -
You can get REALLY complicated about nutrition if you want. However, here's some very easy concepts that we try and stress to our kids:
1) Don't count calories. If you are eating junk, it doesn't matter how many calories you are consuming.
2) Avoid soda and sweetened juices. If a drink has High Fructose Corn Syrup (fancy word for sugar) listed as one of the main ingredients, avoid it. A lot of sports drinks like Powerade are LOADED with HFCS. Stick with water or Gatorade.
3) Avoid fried foods and condiments like mayonnaise. Way too much saturated fat.
4) Avoid candies and baked sweets like cookies, cakes, and brownies. These are usually LOADED with sugar and saturated fats.
5) Try to get the vast majority of your foods from fish, fowl, lean cuts of meat, leafy vegatables, and fruits. General rule of thumb is that if the food has to be refridgerated, it is probably good to eat.
6) Don't pay the "Weider Tax". In other words, supplements aren't really necessary if you are eating clean. If you are taking supps but not eating clean, you are really wasting your time (and your money).
Like I said, this is pretty basic. With that being said, most kids are unwilling to clean up their diet.
|
|
|
Post by aztec on Mar 23, 2006 11:01:28 GMT -6
We don't try to tell guys what to eat or even talk about nutrition.
To get big you gotta eat. Eat until you feel you are going to puke each meal. Eat breakfast (most important) and eat calorie dense food (not cereal unless oatmeal). Eat before bed normally a PB&J with a large glass of whole milk. Drink whole milk. Kid will eat junk.
We monitor speed and weight gain. They should be getting faster if not we have them eat less while the leg strength gets better.
I know this goes against what many of us do or know about nutrition, but we have found that kids will still eat a ton of fast food and crap. I really believe genetics play a big role in the body type of a kid and if they get "fat" or are lean. How many times have you heard "Coach I am eating all the time and I can't gain weight"
|
|
|
Post by wildcat on Mar 23, 2006 11:21:44 GMT -6
I think that fast food gets a bad rap...Fast food is and should be an important part of an athlete's diet. For example, what would be the problem with going to McDonald's and ordering two grilled chicken sandwiches with lettuce and tomato, no mayo, and a large diet soda? IMO, that is a very good meal.
I've had the kids tell me that they just can't gain weight. Well, I don't buy it. Those kids don't gain weight because they don't work at it. Most of those kids don't eat breakfast, the eat a lousy lunch, and MAYBE will eat a decent dinner if Mom has the time to make it. Those are also the kids who may be eating, but they are also lifting weights every day, going to basketball/baseball/track/wrestling practice and maybe working a job. So yeah, they may be eating, but they are expending all of those calories with their other activities.
Gaining weight is something that has to be worked at, just like getting stronger or faster. Show me a kid who starts the day with a decent breakfast and then eats 5-7 times the rest of the day and I will show you a kid who will gain weight.
|
|
|
Post by aztec on Mar 23, 2006 11:27:23 GMT -6
I've had the kids tell me that they just can't gain weight. Well, I don't buy it. Those kids don't gain weight because they don't work at it. Most of those kids don't eat breakfast, the eat a lousy lunch, and MAYBE will eat a decent dinner if Mom has the time to make it. Those are also the kids who may be eating, but they are also lifting weights every day, going to basketball/baseball/track/wrestling practice and maybe working a job. So yeah, they may be eating, but they are expending all of those calories with their other activities. Gaining weight is something that has to be worked at, just like getting stronger or faster. Show me a kid who starts the day with a decent breakfast and then eats 5-7 times the rest of the day and I will show you a kid who will gain weight. You hit the nail on the head. I hate when kids tell me they can't gain weight. I tell them they don' t care enough and when they get beat out by the kid out working them they shouldn't care then either. GREAT POINT
|
|