Food. People have a lot of different relationships with it, good and bad. The one thing every single person on this planet has in common with it though is that we need it to survive. And we don’t just need to eat, we need to eat in a way that’s going to help our bodies perform their best, every day. Not eating enough, or not eating in the ways you need to, can have a huge impact on how you feel and what you can physically and mentally accomplish that day.
Most people just eat whatever’s convenient, or sounds good when they’re hungry and call that a day. While that’s totally fine and I still do pretty often, there are things you can easily change that make a big difference. Being an athlete and all around very busy person has led me to realize that what I put in my body has all the impact on how I perform and feel that day. For example, before a meet, I make sure I eat something with more substance that day for lunch, with lots of fats and protein so it will keep me fueled through the rest of the day and into the meet. In addition to that, between my races, I eat smaller, straight carbohydrates and sugars like fruit snacks or rice crispy treats that can quickly and easily be converted into the fast burning energy I need for my race. Then, after my events, I make sure to eat a big meal to replenish all the energy I used up during the meet. This routine helps me perform my best and recover quickly so I can get back at it sooner.
I know it might sound crazy, “why would everyday food help me play better in my soccer game?” but there is science behind this! For example, eating foods high in fats and fiber has been linked to a more steady mood and preventing energy crashes throughout the day. This is just one of many ways that being conscious about what you eat can help you thrive!
Now of course everyone is different, and each individual should find their own routine to best fit their needs. No one meal plan or diet can work for everyone, it’s just not how it works. Some people’s bodies require more or less fats, proteins, and carbs than others. But in the end, everyone’s body needs a good balance of each of the macronutrients in order to function properly. No food is particularly “good” or “bad,” it just provides a different function for you than other foods do.
So I leave you with this: next time you have a significant event in your life, whether it’s a big test, game, meet, or speech, think about what you eat that day, and how it will impact your body. If you don’t know what macronutrients (protein, carb, fat) a food has or what that macronutrient does for you, look it up! There are tons of good resources online that can help you figure out what foods have what effects, so you can figure out a good plan. It doesn’t have to be every meal or every day, but at least once try to plan out what you eat, and after, compare this to a time when you didn’t plan it out and your performance. You might be surprised!
