Fuel Up the *Right* Way for Spring Sports | Fountain City, TN Urgent Care

You know that what we eat impacts many aspects of our days, including how much energy we have and how we feel. But eating the right foods is especially important for athletes, since they need to fuel their bodies before activity and refuel them afterward.

That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City wants to offer some insight on how to fuel up the right way.

Make Good Nutrition a Part of Your Training

You may feel like you have a good understanding of how much food your child needs on a regular basis. But when your child is actively involved in sports, he or she typically has a higher caloric need than normal. How many calories are needed varies a good deal based on the sport your child is playing and how active he or she is, but it’s likely that your little one will need more to eat during the season.

However, this doesn’t mean your young athlete should be running to the kitchen for coke and cookies. While your child will likely be hungrier while participating in a sport, it’s important that those extra calories pack a nutritional punch.

Let’s take a look at what your young athlete needs to stay healthy, strong and energized.

First, you want to make sure your athlete is able to keep up on the field. He or she will need to be able to maintain energy, which can come from the right combination of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. While carbohydrates help to avoid muscle fatigue, a small amount of healthy fat can help to keep your athlete’s energy levels up for longer. And lean protein sources can help refuel your child’s body after practice and games.

Second, athletes need to be careful to stay hydrated. The easiest way to do this is to drink plenty of water before, during and after activity.

Of course, water isn’t the only way athletes can stay hydrated. Water can also be found in many fruits and vegetables, including cucumbers, peppers, berries and melon. If your child is participating in strenuous activity lasting longer than an hour, an occasional low-calorie sports drink may be helpful to replenish electrolytes.

Finally, it’s just as important to fuel your body properly after a game as it is before. When a game or practice is over, make sure your young athlete is restoring any fluids lost during the sport, while also eating a small meal that consists of carbs, protein and fat so that your young athlete’s muscles can also repair themselves after the game.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Don’t forget that the deadline to register to play baseball at the Fountain City Ball Park is March 9! Therefore, if you haven’t signed up for spring ball, be sure to head on over to the field or their website today to register.

Also, be sure to look for our AFC Urgent Care Fountain City team members, as we will be handing out health supplies to the baseball teams to help keep players safe this season.

Is your child trying out for a sport this spring season? Make sure to visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City today so that our physicians can make sure your athlete is ready to head out on the field.