Have you ever eaten before a sports event and felt like there was a weight in your stomach? Well, I know that I have, and it is probably the worst pain ever….. So today I am going to be telling you 4 lightweight snacks that keep me fueled and motivated!
- Granola bar or Granola chunks
I really enjoy granola bars because they come in many flavors and you can buy different versions of the same product. Granola chunks are amazing for a quick throw in your mouth type snack if you are in a rush or even on the go. Granola bars and chucks are a beneficial pre-game snack because they provide quick-acting carbohydrates for your body which helps with instant energy and sustainable energy from fiber and healthy fats. These snacks are perfect for before or between matches. If you are interested in any of these granola options, you can go to your local Walmart, go to the cereal aisle, and browse the different options. Here are some of my favorites. Granola chunks Granola bar Granola bar 2.
- Avocado toast
Avocado toast is probably one of my favorite healthy breakfast foods. It is so flavorful with all of the different foods stacked on crunchy sourdough bread. Avocado toast is beneficial because it provides a balanced mix of sustained energy, healthy fats, and nutrients that support muscle foundation and growth. They prevent energy crashes that are caused by high-carb meals and dehydration. They are also really easy to prepare; max 5 minutes to get all the supplies and actually make. If you are interested in making homemade avocado toast, here are the ingredients. Bread Bacon Avocado Seasoning.
- Fruits, Veggies and Peanut Butter
One of my favorite things about this food combination is that they can be eaten in many different ways, like you can explore what strawberries and peanut butter tastes like…. You never know, you might like it. You could also eat the peanut butter on its own. The advantages of eating fruits, veggies and peanut butter are because they provide a sustained energy, aid muscle function and are easy to digest. They offer quick-digesting carbohydrates for immediate energy and healthy fats for long-lasting fuel. Peanut butter provides satiety without slowing down digestion. If you are wondering what options would be the best, I provided links to your question. Bananas Apples Grapes Watermelon Cucumbers Bell Peppers Ranch Peanut Butter
1.Bananna, Energy Bar and Pretzels
One thing that I really like about this food combination is that it has a wide variety of different flavors while still being healthy and fueling. The reason I want to share this with you is because bananas, energy bars and pretzels are easily digestible, carbohydrate foods that provide rapid energy. They prevent mid-match crashes, and provide necessary nutrients like potassium and sodium to prevent cramps and maintain stamina. The reason that this meal is #1 over others is because they are optimized for high energy, demands of volleyball. Other snacks fail because they are too slow to digest and just sit in your stomach which causes energy crashes. Here are some of my favorites, Bananas Energy Bar Energy bar 2 Pretzels Pretzels 2
I hope that I could teach you some healthy snacks to promote your playing and keep you feeling more fueled and confident. It is very important that you eat before a game because it is very often that volleyball players are affected during a game by skipping meals. Everyone’s digestion is a little different, so it’s always a good idea to test these snacks during a regular practice before relying on them for a big tournament or championship match. Skipping meals leads to reduced power, slower reaction time and a major injury risk. Constantly eating is very important for maintaining stamina.
