Check out these products and tips to keep you fueled from pre-game all the way through to recovery.
The meal before your big game should be easy to digest for a quick source of energy. Fill half your plate with carbohydrate foods that tend to be lower in fiber, like potatoes or regular pasta. Fill the remaining half with protein foods to help you feel full and colorful, non-starchy vegetables for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
It’s best to eat 2-3 hours before your game or workout to allow time for your body to digest.
Try finishing your meal with beet juice, a natural source of nitrates that may help improve blood flow during exercise.*
Staying fueled during your game or workout is essential. A fruit pouch or a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread can provide an energy boost between innings or at half time.
Also, be sure to find opportunities to sip fluids throughout the game. Think about using sports drinks or coconut water to stay hydrated, and avoid carbonated beverages during your game as they may upset your stomach.
For a quick source of energy that may be easier to digest, consider choosing carbohydrate foods that tend to be lower in fiber.
A deliciously balanced meal after your game should be equal parts protein, whole grains or starchy carbohydrates, and veggies or fruits.
Protein provides amino acids needed to build and repair muscle—aim for protein-rich foods like chicken, salmon, beef, or plant-based options. Carbohydrates are needed to replenish glycogen, a form of energy stored in your body’s muscles, while fruits and veggies provide minerals and antioxidants to support post-workout recovery.
Growing and developing athletes should not go more than 3-4 hours without consuming protein foods.
Sleep is a time of restoration, repair, and recovery—and it’s essential for performance. A consistent sleep pattern is important for supporting your body’s rhythm and routine for the day, and inconsistent sleep can lead to nutrition imbalances.
Having a serving of dairy-based protein—such as Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or a small smoothie—1-2 hours before bedtime can help with recovery during sleep.
Tart cherry juice is a natural source of melatonin which can help support relaxation and restorative sleep.*
Hear from Buffalo Bills Sports Dietitian Christine Dziedzic on how to eat like a pro and stay fueled before, during, and after a game or workout!
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.