Eat Right For Energy

To help maintain your energy throughout the day, build balanced meals and snacks.  For meals, combine at least three of the five food groups.  This will help ensure that you take in all the nutrients your body requires each day, and enable you to feel fuller for longer and more satisfied after each meal.  Pair at least two food groups for snacks.  A protein-rich food with a nutrient-rich carbohydrate choice is the best combination for athletes. 

Carbohydrates are the main energy source for your muscles and brain while protein provides the building blocks required to repair the small amount of damage that occurs to muscles when exercising as well as giving your body the nutrients required to build muscle.  Try berries and wheat germ mixed in all natural Greek yogurt or whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese.   

Katie Jeffrey, MS, RD, CSSD, is a registered dietitian, Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a columnist, and the owner of FitNutrition, LLC, in Stonington, CT and Westerly, RI.  She provides individual nutrition counseling, sports performance nutrition counseling for athletes and educational nutrition presentations on various topics for all age groups.  For more information, call 860-917-6131 or go online to www.fitnutrition.net.  Join FitNutrition, LLC on Facebook.