what to eat before and in a swim meet !?!? - Swimming Forums: The Online Community for Swimmers and Swim Forums

fly_back_babe · 06-15-2007, 11:05 AM

[color=pink]hey im just wondering if anyone has any tips on what to eat as breakfast b4 a swim meet and what to eat in a swim meet? tx !!

greatescape11 · 07-09-2007, 02:52 AM

Experts are now recommending that you should eat mostly carbs (especially natural sugars, like fruits) during the 4 hours before your race. This is because they are easiest to break down and burn. Animal proteins (eggs, bacon, etc) are good if you are swimming more than 4 hours later, because they provide excellent nutirents, but take time for your body to break down and use.

jamiedelting · 11-13-2008, 05:35 PM

I'd recommend a big bowl of pasta the night b4 and then cereal or porridge with fruit 4 breakfast.

Also, if you're gala is early in the morning I sometimes have a high energy drink to keep me going!

Typhoons Coach · 11-14-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedelting

I'd recommend a big bowl of pasta the night b4 and then cereal or porridge with fruit 4 breakfast.

Also, if you're gala is early in the morning I sometimes have a high energy drink to keep me going!

I agree with the cereal (healthy cereal, of course) with fruit, but I don't necessarily agree with the energy drink as they typically don't have a long lasting effect and generally have lead to a drop in energy after a certain amount of time. Again, personal opinion...

Tater · 11-20-2008, 06:49 PM

I personally liked eating a bagel the morning of a meet since that has alot of carbs, and try and get something 'light' for lunch like a fruit salad or Jamba Juice.

I actually drink about three or four cups of coffee in the morning (which is most likely not the greatest for you

), but throught the day of a meet I switch between water and orange juice, Sunny-D, if that can be considered orange juice xD instead of the coffee

Quote:

Also, if you're gala is early in the morning I sometimes have a high energy drink to keep me going!

I did that a couple of times during a track meet; it didn't help at all. I felt like I had the energy AFTER I sprinted my event and actually had the jitters lol

Typhoons Coach · 11-20-2008, 07:56 PM

Lord help you with the 3-4 cups of coffee! I have one and I am off the wall! Then.....crash!

Tater · 11-23-2008, 03:43 AM

Yeah I'm trying to cut back on caffeine :P aint goin too well lol

Quote:

* Eat a larger meal if you have 3-6 hours before you begin your exercise. Smaller "mini" meals are better if you only have an hour or two before your workout begins. Meals that are high in complex carbohydrates are powerful because they give your muscles the very best source of fuel. Pasta, bagels, baked potatoes, rice, and fresh fruit are all good sources of complex carbohydrates.
* Limit the amount of fatty foods such as fast food, eggs, meat, and cheese that you eat for your pre-exercise meal. These foods take much longer to digest and may make you feel sluggish and tired.
* Avoid high-bulk (high-fiber), gas forming foods such as broccoli, baked beans, or bran cereal. These foods may cause gas pains during exercise.
* Avoid sugars and sweets, especially soft drinks and candy, less than 1 hour before training. High-sugar foods will give you quick energy, but they won't last long enough.
* Do not try new foods before a competition. You may have trouble digesting a food you have never eaten before. Choose foods that you eat regularly and are familiar to you

There was a link on one of the veg. recipe sites I use and I thought it went really well with this topic. :]
[I can't put the link D: ]
It is for women but the questions were pretty general, so there's probably not much difference.

RAC42 · 12-06-2008, 07:57 PM

What about pizza? Michael Phelps says he eats tons of pizza before a race/practice which makes sense considering it's tons of carbs and calories.

Just for fun I tried that theory out on my daughter and believe it or not she had more endurance during practice than she did when she ate fruit or nothing very fiberous. I don't believe you should stuff yourself during swimming but your body should have something solid and high in calories to work with.

Just an opinion.

Typhoons Coach · 12-06-2008, 09:54 PM

Hey, different strokes for different folks; I would definitely discourage it with my swimmers....grease, etc...

It is my dinner tonight, though!!! :P

RAC42 · 12-07-2008, 01:10 AM

Well I totally agree.

I don't think I want my kid to be eating pizza's and hamburgers her entire life but I think in moderation it can't kill you. Especially if you swim it off the same day.

Some people pack on weight easier than others. I think in Phelps case he always had a high motabolism and he coudn't keep the weight on or gain any weight. I doubt he would have been able to make it if he relied on just fruits and vegetables to be honest. Of course, pasta is a great choice for energy and pretty much healthy if you use the energy as it will make you fat if you eat it and just sit around. (I know by experience) lol