Diet & Nutrition
Eat For Glory
Simple changes to your diet can make a big difference to your swimming.
Top nutritionists say a balanced diet consists of around 60% Carbohydrates 15% Protein and 25% Fat.
This tied in with around 8 glasses of water a day is the way not only to improve your swimming but improve your day to day life.
For more general nutritional information check out the Food Standards Agency
web site.
Eating For Competition
Try to plan your diet starting from the day before a gala or big swim.
Eat plenty of carbohydrates but try to avoid eating fats.
During the daytime try to take in at least 1 litre of fluid ( Not Fizzy Drinks ) and eat at least one of the following carbohydrate foods:
A bowl of cereal
Bananas
Cereal Bar
Do not be tempted to over eat as this does not work!!
Evening Meal
Suggested Food to eat the night before competition:
Noodles
Rice
Pasta
Potatoes ( Not Chips )
Competition Day
Breakfast should be at a normal hour.
Carry your drinks bottle with you and take a drink at regular intervals.
If you are feeling thirsty its to late you are already dehydrated.
Competition Day Breakfast
Suggested Food for Breakfast on day of competition:
Toast with Jam
Cereals
Scotch Pancakes with Fruit
Beans/Egg on Toast
Getting Ready To Race
Do not eat 10 - 20 minutes before a race as the food does not time to digest and will ultimately slow you down.
Refuel as soon as the race is over, not before.
If you have more than 1 hour between races then a snack can be taken.
Try one of the following:
Banana
Jelly Squares
Cereal Bars
If your gala is in to sessions you could take a light lunch of maybe cold pasta or even a banana sandwich.
Once the day is over start to refuel and rehydrate your body straight away.
Have a low fat meal so that your food does not lay heavy in your stomach.
For Example:
Noodles
Pasta
Pizza
Jacket Potato
At all times you must drink and make sure your body is fully hydrated.