Eating at Events

[ToucheVerte]

My son is 15. He has just finished his pool in the Junior Foil in Dallas and refuses to eat more than the chocolate chip cookie he had for breakfast. He is also being very obnoxious, which unfortunately cannot all be attributed to the lack of protein.

[HDG]

Originally Posted by ToucheVerte

My son is 15. He has just finished his pool in the Junior Foil in Dallas and refuses to eat more than the chocolate chip cookie he had for breakfast. He is also being very obnoxious, which unfortunately cannot all be attributed to the lack of protein.

There are some things nutrition can't fix...

[Cookeit]

Originally Posted by ToucheVerte

My son is 15. He has just finished his pool in the Junior Foil in Dallas and refuses to eat more than the chocolate chip cookie he had for breakfast. He is also being very obnoxious, which unfortunately cannot all be attributed to the lack of protein.

That made me laugh so hard.

"lol" - literally.

[dcmdale]

Originally Posted by dadofbag

I am finding it very difficult to get my son to eat anything during fencing events. I am not a nutritionist, but this is hardly the way to optimize performance after six hours or more of competition. Does anyone have any ideas or can refer to good reference material?

Judging from my own observations and the responses here, I would say that your problem is almost universal among fencing parents. You know they should be hungry. You can see that they are hungry. But mention it to them and they blow up.

Typically the cure is a DE bout that they really want to win, ahead maybe 9-7, and they go to put it away and find out that they are totally out of gas. Then--maybe--they will consider your advise.

[Lemonaide]

I dont' know how anyone can eat during an event, unless theres' a really long break between going from one strip to the other; or there's a long delay, the only thing I ever brought with me to an event is about 1/2 cup of seedless grapes, and a few bananas and a bottle of water. That's it.

[journalmom]

Originally Posted by Lemonaide

I dont' know how anyone can eat during an event, unless theres' a really long break between going from one strip to the other; or there's a long delay, the only thing I ever brought with me to an event is about 1/2 cup of seedless grapes, and a few bananas and a bottle of water. That's it.

All that and a 6 inch hero from Subway works for my boy. In fact, for tomorrow's Dallsa event, I am ordering a subway sandwich for him. Anything greasy or too sweet makes him nauseous but some protein (meat), Carb (bread) and refreshing veggies (L/T, olives and pickles) work great. Of course, he'll eat as soon as POOL is done so that he has time to digest before DE - usually more than 30 minutes later. He'll need energy if he goes past 2 PM since he'll eat breakfast at 6:30AM for 7 AM check-in. Not eating for that long will not be any good for his fencing.

[Warrior Princess]

I don't think that my parents have ever seen me fence, but speaking as a teenage fencer, I take care of myself. Try giving them nuts and dried fruit. That's what I eat. Or if a drinkable yougurt. They won't feel like it's food, but it has protein and calories that they need. If you're really in a pinch, Gatoraid will help. Best time to eat is before and between DEs. Don't push food too much though because if your kid is anything like me, they'll probably just throw it up if you make them eat too much. This site has almost everything you need to know. http://www.chap.com/athleticnutrition.htm Also, WHATEVER YOU DO, NEVER FORGET TO DRINK WATER. YOU MUST NOT GET DEHYDRATED, IT INCRESES THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURIES. Also, NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER DRINK POP DURING OR NEAR MEATS. THE CO2 BUBBLES CAUSE YOUR LUNGS TO CONTRACT.

[DonnaP]

Originally Posted by Warrior Princess

Also, NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER DRINK POP DURING OR NEAR MEATS. THE CO2 BUBBLES CAUSE YOUR LUNGS TO CONTRACT.

Dear WP , I think you may be confusing your information about CO2.

The carbon dioxide you take in when drinking soda goes into your gastric system (stomach), not your lungs, which is why people burp. CO2 is a gas, and the "bubbles" are "bubbles" because the gas is under high pressure in the beverage and trying to get out. CO2 is also the natural bi-product of our body's cellular respiration - meaning we take in fuel and oxygen and convert this to energy, water and CO2. CO2 is always present in the lungs when we are exhaling. Now, it certainly isn't good to be over exposed to high levels of CO2, but this is not going to happen when drinking carbonated beverages.

Also, lungs aren't muscular, they don't actually "contract". They don't inflate or deflate by themselves - the diaphram (a muscle below the lungs) does that. If lungs did "contract" from ingesting CO2 carbonation in beverages while exercising, there would be a LOT of collapsed folks everywhere.

I certainly don't advocate drinking soda during activity as the high concentration of sugars, high caffiene, and lack of viable nutrition along with the carbonation is not a good combo for an athlete, however, you can drink it if you want to and it won't collapse your lungs. (I'm picturing all the Red Bull cans at fencing tournaments!!)

[Lemonaide]

I like the drinkable yogurt idea; they have a good calorie count, protein, calcium [did you know that calcium and potassium work together for muscle contractions? Banana yogurt drink would be optimal]. I've seen fencers munch on everything from subways to chips, soda and other interesting delights, but for me, it's keep slim slim slim. Keeping slim during your fencing without a bunch of undigested foods that require circulating blood and other digestive fuctions take away from the bouts to come.

However, I'm not a teenage ninja boy!

[Warrior Princess]

Originally Posted by DonnaP

Dear WP , I think you may be confusing your information about CO2.

The carbon dioxide you take in when drinking soda goes into your gastric system (stomach), not your lungs, which is why people burp. CO2 is a gas, and the "bubbles" are "bubbles" because the gas is under high pressure in the beverage and trying to get out. CO2 is also the natural bi-product of our body's cellular respiration - meaning we take in fuel and oxygen and convert this to energy, water and CO2. CO2 is always present in the lungs when we are exhaling. Now, it certainly isn't good to be over exposed to high levels of CO2, but this is not going to happen when drinking carbonated beverages.

Also, lungs aren't muscular, they don't actually "contract". They don't inflate or deflate by themselves - the diaphram (a muscle below the lungs) does that. If lungs did "contract" from ingesting CO2 carbonation in beverages while exercising, there would be a LOT of collapsed folks everywhere.

I certainly don't advocate drinking soda during activity as the high concentration of sugars, high caffiene, and lack of viable nutrition along with the carbonation is not a good combo for an athlete, however, you can drink it if you want to and it won't collapse your lungs. (I'm picturing all the Red Bull cans at fencing tournaments!!)

My understanding is that the CO2 doesn't cause the lungs to contract that derastically, but still enough to inhibit performance. Iwas not refering to the inflating of the deflating of the lungs, but the contracting. I appologise if my information was wrong. I'll look it up and post again. Oh, and Gatoraid is the only 'energy drink' that has the right combination of electrolites and potassium and doesn't taste like mulch. (I can't remember the name of the other drink I'm talking about. It's like Energaid, Endureaid or something like that.)

[fatfencer]

naturally I should say something lol....

I'm a big believer in supplements.

I typically take something like GAKIC from Muscletech so my legs don't give out from fatigue. It also helps with concentration sense it has aminos in it. Good stuff.

I also take N.O. Explode Since it helps me get fired up in the mornings. This same company also has a product called Endorush. Good ****!!! Not too much though as coming down off it can be tough...

One thing for sure though I always TRY and get a good nite sleep for at least 3 days prior to a tournament. This way my body is giving me the right signals and feels fully recovered from any work related/school related stresses. Not that I go to school any more mind you.

For 4 days before a tourney I try to stay away from meats as they can inhibit digestion which 'cuts' the lungs and eyes according to my old boxing coach. Complex carbs, fish/seafood for protein and arginine (good for will power and stamina). Also I supplement here with maca, ganoderma, for cleansing the blood and for stamina. Also whey protein throughout is good stuff.


Nite before a tourney I power stack my vitamins (liquid multivitamin) with a carb load shake. This way my body has plenty of vitamins for the morning.

Morning of: 3 crushed pills of Focus Factor in OJ cut with maalox tablet to cut down acid. Extra glucose. Shower for 30 mins. in hot water. Immediately after shower drink NO explode/gakic and eat a powerbar and a couple of pineapple digestive tablets.

Put on headphones and go for a light jog/skip.

Brood around the venue. I really loathe mornings.

Try to listen to Mozart as it plasticizes the mind, makes it more flexible. Heightened awareness. Listen to comedy routines. Laughter helps people to relax. Stretch and jog some more. Take a warmup lesson.

Fence some pre tourney bouts and have a GU packet. Wait for pools.

Fence pools. Repeat powerbar/gakic/pineapple digestive tablets. Wait for DE's. Here's a helpful tip. Ever notice how good you feel after drinking Pepto? no joke. For thsoe people who get extra nervous it may be just the trick.

That's what I do. Your food routine isn't going to make you an international fencing celebrity but I'm usually clear headed throughout the day and its a controllable routine and all of this stuff travels well. No surprise trips to the grocery store. I don't fade for lack of nutrients.

FF

[HDG]

Originally Posted by fatfencer

have a GU packet.

What is this?