Nutrition for Athletes on the Road

Nutrition for Athletes on the Road

For a rodeo athlete from the beginning of February to the end of October, they are traveling cross country to compete in as many rodeos as possible to qualify for the National Final Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas in December. Some drive, while others fly, fly but regardless of their means of transportation they go ninety to nothing. So how do these athletes keep themselves conditioned and energized on such a tight schedule? In reality, most rodeo athletes do not consume the foods they need to stay ready to perform at the elite level. There are a few who eat nutritious foods that fuels their performances which is the reason why these select few are the best of the best. Today, there needs to be more concern for these athletes to eat nutritiously in order to perform their best; not simply just eat to eat. It would be unrealistic for most of these athletes to prepare all their own food yet, I would like to provide a guide to show them how to eat to fuel their bodies properly on the road. Healthy eating starts where you stop. If you're on the road and stop at a fast-food joint, your food choices will be limited to fast food. But if you stop at a grocery store that offers whole or healthy foods—fruits, bagged carrots, nuts, hummus—or a supermarket that features a salad bar, you quickly expand your choices (and reduce junk-food temptations).1  Eat frequently, and in smaller amounts. Eating small amounts of healthy foods throughout the day sends a signal to your brain that the food supply is plentiful, so it's okay to burn through those calories quickly. Limiting your calorie load at a single sitting also gives you lots of energy.1 Eating plenty of complete proteins will also be needed to keep your strength up. Avoid foods that make you feel bloated or uncomfortable as these will having feeling sluggish and not at 100%. Last and final tip is to drink lots of water! Drinking plenty of water will flush your body of toxins, keep your skin fresh, and help you eat less. It will also help you avoid travel lag, symptoms of overexposure to the heat or sun, and junk-food cravings.

6 Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road1:

1.      Healthy eating starts where you stop

2.      Eating frequently and in small amounts

3.      Eat plenty of protein

4.      Pack snacks so you’re not skipping meals

5.      Avoid foods that make you feel sluggish

6.      Drink plenty of water

1. 6 Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2016, from http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-eat/6-tips-for-eating-healthy-on-the-road