Eating Right: Fueling your body!

Another motivational email: 

Good afternoon Bearcats!

As Conferences approach, and taper gets under-way, it is important to keep your body in top, physical condition. So that means: Eat, sleep, and follow the workout regimen.

Here is a great article about swimming nutrition for you guys to read (and yes, I want you guys to read it): http://www.hocoaquatics.org/files/Fueling_Swimmers.pdf

And here is the list of the top 30 foods for swimmers to eat: http://www.nbswim.org/winbsc/__doc__/145825_4_top%2030%20foods.pdf

I want you guys to eat balanced meals, so here is a diagram of what you should be eating at mealtime: http://www.motleyhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/eatwellplatelarge2.jpg

I like to say, eat the rainbow! Make sure your plate has lots of bright colors (NOT artificial coloring). Now, I know that as swimmers we think we can go ahead and eat as much as we want because we will burn it off anyway. While that is somewhat true, we have to be smart about it. You have to eat the right stuff. If you go to the caf after practice and down five donuts because you think "Oh, I have earned this!" You are thinking wrong. You are destroying the good work your body has just done in the pool. Your body needs the right kind of fuel. Go ahead and eat plenty, but eat plenty of the right stuff.

This means, until PAC's are over, follow these simple rules: Eat the rainbow (at every meal, eat a balanced diet with plenty of the right foods), cut out all excess foods (instead of grabbing three cheeseburgers, grab one cheeseburger, a salad, and some pasta/bread [this means you Andy]), and finally, NO MORE SODA. The approved list of liquids: water, Gatorade, water, milk, water, chocolate milk, water, orange juice, water, and other various fruit juices that are LOW in sugar. Oh yes, and water. Notice I did not say: coffee, energy drinks, or other carbonated liquids. Your body is a temple. Keep it clean.

If you guys have any questions about healthy eating, just ask! Even better, keep each other accountable! You guys are a team. Look out for each other. Nobody wants to fail, so keep encouraging one another! You are champions. Live like champions!

In conclusion, I am not calling any of you fat, because none of you are. You know that. I am giving you guys an easy way you can build up energy, and live healthy lifestyles.

STAY STRONG! SWIM FAST! ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER!

Stephen Clendenin