Eating/Drinking around games

[rodk]

My son is 11. His travel team generally plays a double header on Sat or Sun starting at 9, but sometimes starts at 1:30. Occasionally, in tournaments, the games are not back to back, ie, a couple of hours of layover on or near the field for lunch.

His LL team plays once and starts Sunday at 1:30.

What meals should he have, and when in each situation? Does the temperature matter?

My thought was bland carbs (cereal or a bagel) with fruit and milk for morning games, and a protein rich but bland sandwich (cold cuts or grilled cheese) and fruit and milk for pm games, not less than an hour before the game starts. How about a power bar and a banana for a long layoff or during a twin bill?

Also, what is the current thinking about Gatorade, either full sugar or low sugar stuff, vs water as the drink? What's the consensus on the mineral drinks and on allegedly excellent coconut milk (it tastes horrible).

Thanks.

[Roothog66]

My son is 11. His travel team generally plays a double header on Sat or Sun starting at 9, but sometimes starts at 1:30. Occasionally, in tournaments, the games are not back to back, ie, a couple of hours of layover on or near the field for lunch.

His LL team plays once and starts Sunday at 1:30.

What meals should he have, and when in each situation? Does the temperature matter?

My thought was bland carbs (cereal or a bagel) with fruit and milk for morning games, and a protein rich but bland sandwich (cold cuts or grilled cheese) and fruit and milk for pm games, not less than an hour before the game starts. How about a power bar and a banana for a long layoff or during a twin bill?

Also, what is the current thinking about Gatorade, either full sugar or low sugar stuff, vs water as the drink? What's the consensus on the mineral drinks and on allegedly excellent coconut milk (it tastes horrible).

Thanks.

We usually do Mickey D's, but I'm not sure that's the answer you were looking for!

[Megunticook]

Your food choices sound decent. Ideally, you would feed him whole-grain bread/bagel/cereal, not highly refined and processed white flour. But maybe you already knew that. Derek Jeter eats pb&J before games--that would make an excellent snack in the middle of a doubleheader. My kids do well on it.

Nothing hydrates as well as water. I've used coconut milk for the electrolytes when my kids are really dehydrated, but that's rare. I would have him start hydrating the day before. Gatorade is better than not drinking but sugar is not helpful. In your place I'd go with water. Just have him sip lightly but frequently throughout the day before and the day of the games, especially the morning before the first game. Key is to be well hydrated going into the game, not trying to play catch-up by guzzling water during the game.

I can't remember who it was but a retired HOF ballplayer said that the secret to his long MLB career (and excellent overall health) was that he drank ample amounts of water every day.

[tg643]

Between games stay away from milk, grease and carbonated drinks.

[Cochise]

My 7y/o was picked for a competitive pee wee track team, resulting in track/baseball doubleheaders every Sunday. So far we have had 2 meets preceeding 2 scrimmage games, and our formula has been peanut butter covered bagels, gatorade, and water. Seems to be working well so far. He usually has a banana smoothie before his track meet, which would be the equivalent of game one in the OP's scenario.

In our case, the biggest thing is making sure that he has gone to the bathroom BEFORE putting on his catcher's gear at the start of the game...:clown:

[shake-n-bake]

Avoid BBQ ribs and wings. Coaches apparently quite often get their panties in a wad when a kid brings BBQ into the dugout. Actually the wings, though they were messier didn't get my son scolded as much. So, I think it was the idea of having an actual plate of food with the sides - the corn on the cob and potato salad plus the ribs that was a problem.......I don't know - everyone's so sensitive these days.

For tournaments my son brought an insulated bag and usually a thermos. That was on top of my wife normally packing everything but the kitchen sink. He had all sorts of stuff in there, mostly leftovers or sandwiches. When he got hungry and he had a minute, he ate. We went to Subway a lot, but he realized that he preferred sticking around the field and practicing or chilling out.

[Cannonball]

My child played for a great coach who took the time to plan things like this. So, we had "team moms" that were assigned the duty of making sure that the food was prepared. One thing he always stressed was that between games was not Thanksgiving and so, don't bring all of that "heavy food." He asked that only water be consumed for drinks. Also, he asked that fresh fruit always be offered. He then would plan when and where. So, split double header, he'd say what he wanted brought, that the kids would be at the pavillion or whereever else at a certain time after the game ended and then they would be allowed to eat until a certain time before they got ready for the next game. Somehow, he was a amazing and would keep the players on that schedule. Naturally, after the game there were always leftovers and so, the kids would head to wherever the food was for the after game comments. I really miss those days.

[tradosaurus]

My child played for a great coach who took the time to plan things like this. So, we had "team moms" that were assigned the duty of making sure that the food was prepared. One thing he always stressed was that between games was not Thanksgiving and so, don't bring all of that "heavy food." He asked that only water be consumed for drinks. Also, he asked that fresh fruit always be offered. He then would plan when and where. So, split double header, he'd say what he wanted brought, that the kids would be at the pavillion or whereever else at a certain time after the game ended and then they would be allowed to eat until a certain time before they got ready for the next game. Somehow, he was a amazing and would keep the players on that schedule. Naturally, after the game there were always leftovers and so, the kids would head to wherever the food was for the after game comments. I really miss those days.

.

That's a great plan! Also my advice would be not to bring any cash so there is no temptation to go to the greasy concession stand.

My wife makes homemade food before we head out to tournaments so I'm not held hostage to cancer causing fast food places. We drink mostly water and some gatorade.

Also if you are staying overnight I would have a curfew. The last tournament most of my son's team with to see a movie at 2130 hrs and didn't get back to the hotel room until midnight. You could tell by their performance the next day that they were not fully alert. Going to bed by 0100 hrs and getting 9 hrs sleep is not the same as going to bed at 2200 hrs and getting 9 hrs sleep, IMO.

[Newyouthcoach]

Good article that i received just a few minutes ago.

http://usssapride.com/2012/03/31/sonyas-health-fitness-concussions-nutrition-when-hunger-strikes-whats-the-best-fuel/

[JRH11]

No soda and fast food on game days. Chocolate milk is a great recovery drink.

[dominik]

have them drink water. don't even start garbage like energy drinks and cola during sports. much healthier and also better and cheaper