Many years ago, the consensus was that every baseball player looked like Babe Ruth: big, fat and with a giant beer belly. However, as seasons came and went, the times changed. Baseball players now are fit and athletic. They need to make sure they stay fit, and having a healthy and balanced diet is one way to ensure this.
Drink Water and Other Fluids
Consuming the maximum amount of fluids is the best way to stay healthy as a baseball player. To determine how much you should be drinking during a game, weigh yourself right before and right after a game. The difference in weight is the amount of weight you sweat during a game. You should be consuming the same amount of fluids that you are losing (one pint of liquid equals one pound of body weight).
Sports drinks are helpful during a game, but before and after a game, water should be the main liquid consumed. Do not consume carbonated beverages, caffeine or alcoholic beverages, as they can throw off your body and upset your stomach during games and exercise.
Eat Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates should be eaten at every pregame meal. Eating foods such as rice, pasta, bread, crackers and potatoes will help give you quick bursts of energy during the game. Eating a carbohydrate-filled snack every three to four hours throughout the day can help keep your energy up during the season as well. A good snack to eat during these times are cereal/cereal bars, granola, bagels, pretzels, trail mix or nuts.
Avoid High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup and other types of sugar promote unhealthy weight gain and can upset your stomach while you are doing athletic activity. Avoid any items high in sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, glucose or sucrose. Foods you should avoid include candy, desserts, baked goods, fruit juices that are not 100 percent natural and any other type of sweet food.
High Protein
Protein is not burned during games or exercise routines, so there is no need to overload on high-protein foods. However, eating them at least once a day is still helpful and necessary to stay healthy and fit during the season. Foods that are high in protein include beef, lamb, veal, pork, shellfish, milk, cheese, poultry, eggs, nuts, yogurt, beans, tofu, soy and other nut butters.
Postgame Foods
After a baseball game ends, you will most likely be hungry and looking to get your hands on anything you can. After a game, eat foods that have a bit of fat in them to help re-energize your body and last you through the night. Items that can help do this include roast beef, grilled chicken sandwiches, ham or turkey subs, pancakes or waffles, eggs, fruit smoothies or pizza. Low intakes of these foods will help fill you up while not keeping you up all night. Though they may seem unhealthy, it will actually help your body maintain its regulation throughout the night and through your athletic activity.
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