**original article by Candice Reimholz**

After this winter, I never thought it would happen, but spring is right around the corner.  Spring sports and training has begun.  Soccer, Baseball/Softball, and Track and Field are about to ramp up.  For the athletes involved at all levels, this means an increased demand on their bodies.  During the average soccer game, a player could run up to 5 miles.  Double headers can mean up to 7-8 hours in the field.  I think it goes without saying, if you are not putting the right fuel in your body, it would be pretty easy to run out of gas.

This post is all about nutrition, and how to ensure optimal performance on the field.  I know it gets complicated, so I put the foods in 3 simple categories.  By following these guidelines, you can be sure that you are feeding your body what it needs for optimal performance.

Green Light Foods – These are foods that you can eat without concern, eat often and should be the bulk of your diet.

  • Green Vegetables = broccoli, kale, spinach, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.
  • Healthy sources of protein = chicken, turkey, lean port, lean beef (ideally grass-fed) eggs, and seafood.
  • Healthy sources of Carbs = sweet potatoes, squashes, legumes (beans, lentils) zucchini, carrots, and quinoa
  • Water – water should be what you are drinking 90% of the time. Staying hydrated throughout the week is one of the most important things you can do for your muscles and recovery.

Yellow Light Foods – Proceed with some caution, limit quantities and be careful not to over-indulge.

  • Fruits = fruits are tied for green and yellow light.  The reason it’s under ‘caution’ is because you can over-eat fruits.  Fruits have a lot of sugar even through it is from a healthy source.  2-4 servings of fruit is probably good for a high-intensity or endurance athlete.
  • Nuts = again these can be over-eaten. Nuts are a great source of fiber and healthy fats but a little goes a long way.  Also, try to find unsweetened and unsalted varieties when you can.
  • Healthy Fats = fat can be your friend. Our brains and hearts need fat and fat it a great energy source.  Examples of healthy fats are avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, some nuts and seeds and salmon.
  • Grains, Rice, Pasta and White Potatoes = even 100% whole grain should be eaten in moderation. Yes, they are a good source of carbs but there are better ones (see above).  It is all about choosing the BEST foods as OFTEN as possible.  These are carb sources that can be incorporated, but preferably not on a daily basis.
  • Electrolyte Drinks = Gatorade and similar beverages have a place in sports, but not in our daily lives. Staying hydrated throughout the week with water, and supplementing with electrolyte drinks during games, tournaments, double headers, etc. is fine.  If I were playing soccer, I would drink water during the first half and switch to Gatorade in the second half to replenish what I’m losing during the game.
  • Dairy = again, most of our liquid intake should be from water, but if you tolerate dairy well, then you can incorporate dairy into a healthy balanced diet. What about calcium? Again, we are trying to choose the BEST sources for our nutrients, and leafy greens like broccoli and kale have calcium and so much more!  If you don’t tolerate dairy well, coconut milk or almond milk are good substitutes.
  • Yogurt = I know yogurt is dairy, but I wanted to speak about it separately. All yogurts are not created equal.  There is a lot of sugar in flavored yogurt and you are better off mixing flavored and plain yogurts together or buying plain yogurt and sweetening it yourself thru honey, vanilla and/or berries.

Red Light Foods – Avoid these foods.  These will do nothing but hinder your performance and development.

  • Energy Drinks = these give you temporary energy, but the crash inevitably follows. You are better off getting your energy through healthy food.
  • Fast Food = these foods feel like a rock in your stomach. There is so much grease, preservatives and junk in these foods, your body has to work overtime just to digest it.  Fast food is the opposite of healthy foods.  Instead of providing your body with what it needs, your body has to use its resources to clean your system after consuming these food-like products.
  • Candy, sweets and sugary drinks = no surprises here. These are empty calories that give you a temporary burst, but do nothing for long term performance and fitness.
  • Unhealthy sources of Carbs = white breads and pastas, cakes, cookies. Again, there are much better choices than these.  Skip all foods that do nothing for your growth, health and endurance.

 

See? Nutrition doesn’t need to be complicated.  If you eat mostly from the gree, supplement with the yellow, and avoid the red your body will respond in a positive way.  If you follow these simple guidelines, you will notice increased energy and enhanced performance on the field.

*** Candice consulted Renate Loeffler, R.D. for this article to ensure she was providing the best advice***