Pregame meals can have an impact on the performance of athletes, especially during lengthy, strenuous sports such as soccer. Tuna is a popular fish high in protein and easily available in canned, packaged and fresh forms. When combined with other foods, tuna can be a beneficial part of your pregame meal.
Pregame
You can help enhance performance by eating a small meal before your game. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, an appropriate meal of approximately 400 to 500 calories can help prevent weakness, hunger and dehydration during your soccer game. This meal should be eaten two to three hours before the game to ensure the nutrients are digested before you start playing.
Meal
According to the American Dietetic Association, pregame meals should be relatively high in carbohydrate and have a moderate amount of protein, with a low amount of fat and fiber. This will provide glucose and amino acids to fuel your muscles while speeding digestion. Since tuna has a high amount of protein and not much fat, it can be part of your pregame meal when combined with high-carbohydrate foods.
Tuna
Foods high in carbohydrates but low in fat and fiber include white bread, crackers and pasta. Some easy ideas to include tuna in a meal before your soccer game include a tuna sandwich, tuna on crackers or a tuna pasta salad. A simple addition to round out the meal would be a cup of fruit juice or milk. An important element that both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Dietetic Association advise is that the meal you eat before your soccer game consist of familiar foods to prevent an upset stomach.
Benefits
As part of your pregame meal, tuna can help maintain your blood sugar and energy levels while playing soccer. Your meal should be high in easily digestible carbohydrates. When eaten as part of a pregame meal, tuna may help your performance during a soccer game.
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