Nutrition is a Part of Training Young Athletes
Teaching young athletes about good nutrition should be as important as teaching them the skills of the game.
"Sometimes coaches and parents overlook this important part of the training process," said Becky Gorham, a registered dietitian and research nutritionist at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "It's up to parents and coaches to learn and teach kids what is good for the body."
Knowing how much to feed young athletes, what to feed them, and when to feed them is important.
"Foods high in carbohydrates like fruits, breads, rice, and starchy vegetables like corn will provide athletes with the energy their muscles need," said Gorham. "Young athletes should also be encouraged to eat at least four servings a day of calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese, and yogurts. These foods will help them build strong bones."
One of the most essential of all requirements for athletes is water.
"Children should drink three to six ounces of water every 15 minutes of practice to avoid dehydration," said Gorham. "Children need to be taught and reminded during workouts to drink water even when they are not thirsty because thirst is not an accurate measure of hydration."
Contrary to popular belief, vitamin supplements will not provide a direct source of energy for young athletes. If the child is following the guidelines from the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, vitamins are not necessary.
"Providing young athletes with healthy food choices is one of the keys to helping them reach their full athletic potential, said Gorham. "And in most cases, these healthy food choices will stay with them for the rest of their lives."
