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Nutrition

Wrestling Wednesday: Planning for Post Season Success

Wrestling Wednesday: 02/07

Wrestling Wednesday: 02/07

I have attended many wrestling tournaments in my time as a coach and fan. Finding the right foods for your wrestler can be a challenge. The key is to plan ahead and pack their healthy options for the day. We are at an important time of the year in Wisconsin wrestling and those that stay disciplined in their healthy eating plan are more likely to find success. Below is a list of some healthy options for tournaments and a eating plan for the day. Good Luck to all the wrestlers in the tournament series!

 

Good Tournament Snacks (in between matches): Aim for small snacks instead of big meals:

  • Bagels, bread or English muffin with honey/jam

  • Fresh fruit- bananas, grapes, oranges, berries, watermelon, fruit cups, or dried fruit such as raisins

  • Low-fat chocolate pudding cups

  • Cereal – Cheerios, Rice Krispies

  • Low-fat yogurt cups or drinkable yogurt

  • Granola bars- Chewy granola bars, Nutri-grain bars, or Nature Valley bars

  • Sports bars- Z-bars, Clif bars, Power bars

  • Sports drinks- Gatorade or Powerade

  • Pedialyte- pair with carbohydrate rich foods

  • Low-fat trail mix

  • Low-fat milk or chocolate milk

  • Turkey sandwich

  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

  • Pretzels

  • Graham crackers, animal crackers

  • Fig Newtons

  • Gatorade Performance chews

  • Clif shot blocks

Example Meal Pattern on Tournament Competition Day
5:00am wake-up: Check weight. Consume 8-16 oz fluids if possible. 7:00am Weigh-ins

8:00am- Post Weigh-in: Sip on 16-32 fl oz cold sports drink or Pedialyte. Pair fluids with carbohydrate rich foods:

  • 1-2 slices toast or bagel with jam/honey + banana + 6 oz low-fat yogurt

  • 1 cup cereal (ie. Cheerios, Rice Krispies) or instant oatmeal+ 8 oz low-fat milk + 1 banana

  • Meal replacement shake (ie. Carnation Instant Breakfast, Boost) + 1 banana

  • 2 granola bars + 1 banana

  • NEVER TRY ANY NEW FOOD OR HYDRATION STRATEGY ON COMPETITION DAY!

9:00am-7pm- In between matches- See tournament foods listed above. Sip on 8-16 oz fluids between matches. Eat small snacks rather than large meals. These should be high in carbohydrate, moderate in protein, and low in fat and fiber. AVOID high fat foods (>5 grams fat/serving) such as nachos, burritos, pizza, hamburgers, as well as high fiber foods (>5 grams of fiber/serving) such as a large salad, raw vegetables, beans, and high fiber muffins, breads, cereals.

7:00pm- Post-Competition Nutrition: Consume 16-32 oz fluids with a meal rich in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat.

  • 4-6 oz Teriyaki chicken breast + 1-1.5 cups white rice + 1⁄2 cup cooked green beans or carrots

  • 4-6 oz Grilled white fish or chicken breast with a 6-9 oz baked potato or 1-1.5 cup mashed

potatoes or peas

  • 2-3 low-fat 6 inch corn tortillas (hard or soft) with 4-6 oz shredded chicken + 1 cup rice + salsa

  • 1.5-2 cups cooked pasta+ 4-6 oz ground turkey meatballs + 1⁄2 -1 cup marinara sauce

9:00pm Before Bed: Sip on 8-16 oz fluids. Consume a high carbohydrate snack such as a granola bar, yogurt cup, bowl of cereal with low-fat milk, or fruit smoothie.

Wrestling Wednesday: The Wrestler’s Top 10 Power Foods

Wrestling Wednesday Nutrition Redux

We ran this article last season. We thought it would be a good one to post again as this information is very good and applies to every wrestling season. As most of the teams in the state start their season in two weeks, it is important to talk about our wrestlers’ nutrition. I get the question every season from parents “what are some good foods my son/daughter can eat”. I suggest every parent visits the WWF website and goes to the training link.

The information given is by Kim Tirapelle - a certified nutritionist and also the wife of Adam Tirapelle - NCAA Champion. She understands the demands the sport of wrestling. Below is a sample of one of the pages under the nutrition link.

The Wrestler’s Top 10 Power Foods

As a wrestler, maintaining a competitive weight throughout the season can be hard. By selecting the most nutrient dense food options, while limiting those that can be detrimental to your performance, you will have more energy and endurance on the mat than your opponent. Remember, nutrition can make a good wrestler great, or a great wrestler good- which do you want to be?

Top 10 Foods to Include in My Diet

1. Fresh fruits- high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and carbohydrates, these nutrient powerhouses will give you an energy boost!
2. Whole grains- bread, pasta, cereal, rice, oatmeal- these should be the staple of your diet and included daily. These carbohydrate packed foods will help keep your muscles fueled for competition.
3. Low-fat dairy products or soy- Include dairy or soy products 3 times per day to help increase your intake of bone-building calcium and Vitamin D, and protein, potassium, and riboflavin. Greek yogurt also provides double the protein of regular yogurt! Make a fresh fruit smoothie with dairy/soy to go!
4. Lean meats- chicken breast, beef sirloin, pork tenderloin and deli meats like roast beef, ham, and turkey provide protein rich sources to your diet, as well as iron and zinc. Include a protein source at every meal and snack!
5. Vegetables- dark leafy greens, as well as brightly colored vegetables are low in calories and are exploding with Vitamin C, A, folic acid, potassium, and iron just to name a few. You can’t ever go wrong with raw or plain steamed veggies.
6. Nuts and seeds: rich in Vitamin E, healthy fats, and fiber, these little portion- controlled snacks can help you feel full for hours!
7. Fish (canned or baked/broiled): Tuna, salmon and halibut are rich in Omega-3s, which help to reduce inflammation in the body after a hard workout. Eat fish 3 times/week for a heart healthy fat and lean protein source.
8. Baked Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes- bursting with Vitamin C, potassium, and carbohydrates, these are a great addition to a meal. Eat the skin to increase your fiber intake and top with light sour cream or mash with low-fat milk.
9. Peanut butter- a heart healthy fat and protein source that can be carried with you and added to bread, fresh fruit, pretzels or crackers for a quick meal or snack. Don’t leave home without it!
10. Eggs- rich in protein, choline and Vitamin D, they can be included at breakfast, or as an on the go snack. Scramble in the microwave for 1 minute and add to an English muffin and a slice of cheese for your own breakfast sandwich.

Foods to Limit During Wrestling Season 

1. Soda and energy drinks- contrary to popular belief, these concentrated sugary beverages will strip you of energy and contribute excessive calories. Also, once your body processes the caffeine, you will feel lethargic. Carbonated beverages can also cause GI upset during competition. 
2. Fried Foods: Fried meats, fries, and fast foods contribute high levels of fat and calories to your intake and will leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable. 
3. Candy, Pastries: These items are very calorically dense and provide little to no nutritional value. They often take the place of healthier snack foods, therefore, reducing the overall nutrient content of your diet. 
4. Full-fat Chips and Hot Cheetos: Substitute these with low-fat baked chips or pretzels to help provide healthy carbohydrates to your muscles. 
5. Concession stand items like nachos and pizza: These high fat items may be an option for your fans, but they are not good options for you to consume. These will delay gastric emptying and you will go on the mat with your muscles starving for energy. 

Nutrition Guidelines, Suggestions, Tips & Ideas

These suggestions and guidelines encourage wrestlers to focus on eating a healthful diet—one that focuses on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight and promote health.  Always consult your doctor or health professional before making any significant dietary change.