brookSport Volume 3 | Page 24

5 foods to eat

before hittin' the court

blackdoctor.org

ooking for the 5 best meals for basket-

ball players? Well, first of all, it’s important to note that athletes should maintain a healthy diet every day, not just on game day, for overall well being.

Basketball is a sport that requires players to run and remain in constant motion for extended periods of time. Because of this, what players eat during the day before a game is very important. The way in which certain foods affect a player can have a positive or negative effect on how they play the game.

Eating Before a Game

If a player eats something with a lot of sugar, he may feel a quick energy boost in the short term, but he’ll most likely have a crash in energy as the game progresses. It is best to eat a meal rich in complex carbohydrates an

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hour or two before the basketball game starts. This will give the player a consistent boost of energy throughout the entire game. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates include pasta, cereal, vegetables, peanut butter and bread. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids throughout the day as well as during the game itself.

Here’s what we suggest:

1. Chicken. Chicken makes a great pre-game meal for basketball players as it is a great source of protein. Protein helps basketball players remain balanced

and powerful throughout

the game. There are also

many great dishes that

go with chicken, includ-

ing salads and baked

potatoes.