What is a good pre-game meal?
Athletes should eat a balanced meal containing carbohydrates, protein, and fruit or vegetables 2-3 hours before game time. Make sure to drink 12-24 ounces of water with a pre-game meal to stay hydrated. Pre-game meals may include: Whole wheat chicken sandwich with vegetables.
Use caution with fatty foods.
Greasy, fried foods and fatty desserts are filling and may leave your athlete feeling tired and sluggish. Skip the fries or pizza before practice, and keep fat content on the light side.
Carbohydrates are an essential form of energy for players and pasta falls into that category. It is a great way to create energy stores leading up to a big game and a meal like this a day before will help players on the ice.
Choose energy-packed foods such as whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese, tortilla wraps with veggies and lean meat, hard-boiled eggs, vegetable or bean soups, small boxes of non-sugary cereal, fresh fruit, mini-whole wheat bagels with peanut butter, pita bread with hummus or pasta with grilled chicken.
Eating before a big game is an essential way to ensure you perform at your peak. Food provides the fuel to your body and without this, you risk fatigue and low blood sugar levels which can result in nausea and dizziness.
It's important to avoid foods that are high-fat. That means no fried foods, bacon, sausage, ribs, ribeye steak, fast food, lasagna, fettuccini alfredo, cheese-based soups or foods made with butter or heavy cream. Also avoid foods high in fiber, as they will cause gas and bloating.
Anything too fatty, like junk food or milk, is digested slowly and will make athletes feel slow and sluggish. Athletes should also avoid eating too many high-fiber foods, like beans, fruits and vegetables, which are also difficult to digest and can cause stomach problems on the field.
Why? Most people think of chicken noodle soup as something they should eat when they're fighting off a cold, but it's also a solid pre-game meal—for several reasons. Of course chicken is a great protein source, and it provides a satiating effect that keeps you feeling full without being stuffed.
One-quarter of the meal should be a lean protein, like fish or beef. And the other quarter of the meal should consist of fruits and vegetables. The pre-game meal is typically eaten four hours before kickoff.
Eggs are an amazing source of protein. Therefore, it is very good for any athlete. Also, scrambled eggs or omelets can be eaten with any kind of meat or fish. However, with omelets, you have to eat some form of carbohydrates so that you have the required supply of energy during the match.
Are eggs good before a match?
Avoid high-fat items such as fried eggs, hamburgers, French fries and sausage before a game, since these can upset your stomach. You have to eat foods that have a low to moderate level of fibre, and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.
There is nothing better than a good old plate of Mac & Cheese. Peanut Butter and Jelly is arguably one of the best sandwiches you could make! It is a timeless meal that will make you feel energized and replenished. This is a classic meal before any big game.

The goal for the pre-event meal is to make sure you have enough fuel to get through the entire athletic event. The pre-event meal should give you the energy to perform and can help prevent fatigue, decrease hunger pain and provide hydration. Make sure to eat your pre-game meal three to four hours before the event.
Some NFL players turn to classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as a pregame snack. Others might build their own smoothies, while those with game-day jitters might have no appetite at all and focus mostly on staying hydrated.
Try to avoid foods high in fiber and fat such as beans, heavy sauces and fried foods. Greasy foods like burgers and nachos are not the best game day options. Consuming these foods prior to game time can leave you feeling sluggish or heavy. Sugary drinks and sodas should also be avoided.
Pasta, pancakes and toast are good choices. If you have only an hour or two prior to play, but your stomach is grumbling, choose a small meal with just 150 to 300 calories.
Get your Carbohydrates from whole grains, sweet potatoes, quinoa, beans, porridge etc. Avoid processed food, white bread, white pasta, white rice, mashed potato, sweets, packaged snacks and fizzy juice. Therefore plenty of energy for football!
- Peanut Butter Sandwich. ...
- Fruit and Beef Jerky. ...
- Coconut Water and Protein Powder. ...
- Yogurt drink, Turkey and Cheese Cubes. ...
- Low-fat string Cheese and Pretzels. ...
- Fruit Salad and Graham Crackers. ...
- Cottage Cheese and a Granola Bar.
- PHILADELPHIA Buffalo Chicken Dip. ...
- Easy Game-Day Meatballs. ...
- Slow-Cooker Chili. ...
- Game-Day Football Cake. ...
- Football Bread Bowl Queso Dip. ...
- Slow-Cooker Party Wings. ...
- Crispy Football-Shaped Treats. ...
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