Ask an Athlete how to Eat

Soccer team says....

Low Fat High - Carb Foods

Eating the wrong thing can affect your performance quite dramatically. Make sure you consume carbohydrate-rich meals two to three days prior to upcoming matches. It is recommended to stay away from fried, fatty or spicy foods within 24 hours of kick-off.

To empty out the stomach and upper small intestine, your pre-game meal should be at least 3-4 hours before the match. From that point on, stick to liquids. Make sure you are well hydrated and drink plenty of fluids before, after and (when possible) during the game.

Throughout the rest of the week, you may eat protein (meats) but try to keep it low-fat. The basic idea is to have your body store its calories from complex carbohydrate foods. Players burn approximately 1700 calories per game while the body can only store about 600 per day.

Here are some examples of low-fat, high-carb foods that you may consider:

Breakfast & Snacks

* non-sugar coated cereal
* cold or hot cereals (oatmeal)
* soy or low-fat milk
* English muffins
* pancakes
* French toast
* potatoes
* yogurt
* bagels
* juices
* fresh or dried fruit
* corn
* pretzels
* low-fat cottage cheese
* graham crackers
* egg whites

Lunch & Dinner

* fish (seafood)
* veal
* chicken (without the skin)
* turkey
* other lean meats (not fried)
* rice
* vegetables
* pasta (marinara sauce)
* variety of breads (multi-grain)
* soups (broths are best with a little onion)
* salads (low-fat to non-fat dressings)
* sodas (can assist with Glycogen recovery after games)
* pizza with vegetable toppings (mushrooms, green peppers)

http://www.strikerscollegeinfo.com/teams/default.asp?u=MLUKAS&t=c&s=soccer&p=custom&pagename=Low+Fat+High+Carb+Foods