Between ice hockey's crushing body checks and intense skating and field hockey's ball dribbling sequences and near constant running, hockey demands a lot of energy from its players. Whether you're a professional or amateur ice or field hockey player, or simply a weekend warrior interested in getting a calorie-burning cardiovascular workout, knowing what to eat before a hockey game plays a key role in ensuring that you play a solid game without sacrificing your energy levels and health.
Significance
The prime purpose of eating before a hockey game is to provide your body with the energy necessary to play the game at top form both physically and mentally. This energy enhances your ability to put forth the sudden bursts of speed, as well as endurance, flexibility, power-driven shots and rapid responses essential to successfully playing hockey. Failing to eat properly before a hockey game may cause your body's energy levels to rapidly deplete during the early part of the game, leaving your body weaker and increasing your chances of suffering from excessive fatigue or making mistakes in judgment during play.
Features
The foods you eat before your hockey game can enhance or hinder your body's energy levels, so choose carefully before you begin munching. As a rule, a pre-hockey game meal designed to support adequate energy levels during the game should star carbohydrates and protein. Prime choices include cereal, bread products, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Avoid spicy foods, sugary sodas and fat-heavy foods, since they can sit heavy on your stomach and distract you during the game.
Size
Watch portion size to ensure that you provide enough food to maintain proper energy levels during your hockey game. Aim for your energy-building meal to include approximately 500 to 600 calories and be sure to incorporate a mix of foods. A morning meal might include a bowl of cereal with milk, served alongside a medium banana, a small bagel and a cup of orange juice. Lunch before an afternoon hockey game could include pasta, low-fat milk, a slice of bread and an apple. Generally, your pre-game snack needs to be about 150 calories, which is about the same as a large bagel topped with peanut butter.
Considerations
When you eat before your hockey game is just as important as what you eat. Eating too close to game time prevents your body from being able to break down the energy-producing food fast enough to have an effect on your energy levels during the hockey game. Just as important, eating too far in advance of your game leads you to burn the energy before you even play. Plan on eating your pre-game meal three to four hours before the start of your hockey game. Consume your pre-game snack approximately one hour before game time.
References
- "Complete Conditioning for Hockey"; Peter Twist; 2007
- "Hockey Made Easy"; John Shorey; 1995
- "Hockey-ology"; Kevin Huhn; 2005
- "Understanding Hockey"; Julia Hickey; 2006
Member Comments