What to Eat on Race Day
By Kim Wathen, M.S.
Exercise Physiologist/Dietitian
kim@fitnessandfuel.com
Cheese fries, grilled chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, tacos, salads…does it matter which of these you choose to eat on race day? Absolutely!!! Not only does it matter what you choose, but also when you choose to eat it.
Your Guidelines
Your goal is to have your energy levels high and to perform at your peak both mentally and physically during your moto. This is best accomplished by adhering to the following guidelines:
1. Eat and drink every 2-3 hours when possible
2. Eat complex carbs, not sugar
3. Eat slightly higher amounts of fat than normal
4. Avoid foods which may cause stomach upset or other side effects
5. Use proper timing: make sure you have carbs in your system when you go to the line
6. Consider using a sport drink and recovery drink (see “What to Drink on Race Day” article)
Sample Menus for Race Day
Breakfast
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Low sugar cereal with milk
Fresh fruit and/or 100% juice
Whole wheat toast with butter
Water
Snack
Yogurt
Lunch
Deli turkey on whole wheat bread
Milk
Natural apple sauce
Snack
Fresh fruit
Cheese
Dinner
Grilled chicken
Salad
Brown rice
English muffin
Egg white omelet
Orange juice
Milk
Snack
Drinkable yogurt
Banana
Spinach wrap
Chicken breast
Baby carrots with dip
Water
Granola bar
Dinner
Tortellini
Pasta sauce
Salad
Milk
The Details
1. Eating every 2-3 hours will keep your blood sugar within a normal range. Your best performance can only be achieved when you are in this normal range.
2. In short there are 2 things to consider about carbohydrates; complex vs. simple, and whole grain/whole wheat. Pasta and table sugar are both carbs. One is complex (pasta) and one is not (table sugar). Complex carbs will affect blood sugar more slowly and will sustain energy levels longer. Sugars will affect blood sugar more quickly and will not sustain energy levels as long. Because your goal is to maintain your energy levels, you will want to eat complex carbs rather than sugar, especially on race day. Complex carbs are found in foods such as bread, muffins, bagels, etc. Although products made with white flour are complex carbs, it is best to get most of your carbs from whole wheat or whole grain sources.
3. Fat will also help maintain your energy levels at their peak. I normally recommend a low fat diet, but a few days prior to, and during an athletic event it is fine to eat moderately higher fat than normal. If you did happen to run low on carbohydrate stores, your body would prefer burning fat for energy rather than protein to provide the energy you need to finish your race. Cheese, ice cream and fried foods are examples of high fat foods. They should not be the main foods you are eating.
4. Avoiding foods which may have negative effects on your particular body is critical to feeling your best on race day. Milk products, caffeine, sugar and fat are just some of the ingredients that have the potential to cause stomach upset or some other side effect. If there is any chance at all that a food will have unwanted effects on you, don’t take a chance!
5. Timing your food consumption can be a critical factor when you are reaching for peak performance on the track. Consuming a moderate amount of food 30-60 minutes before your moto is best. This meal should mainly consist of carbohydrates but should be mixed with protein as well. Good choices would be; turkey on whole wheat, yogurt and a bagel or english muffin, toast with a boiled or poached egg, peanut butter and fruit spread on whole wheat. A sport drink which is formulated for use prior to working out such as Cytomax's Preformance drink can also be used at this time, especially for those athletes who find it difficult to eat prior to an event.
Glucose, which is obtained from carbs, is the only energy source your brain can use. So, it is very important for you to have carbs available in your body when you head to the line. Without carbs, your mental and physical performance could be impaired.
After you are finished racing you will want to eat or drink for recovery. Although this needs to be done within 2 hours after your racing is finished for the day, it is most effective if completed within 15 minutes after your last moto. This meal or drink should contain both simple carbs (sugars) and some protein as well. Good choices would include yogurt and fruit, milk, red meat or chicken and baked potato. A sport drink formulated for recovery like Cytomax's Recovery drink is also a good choice.
6. It is always important to stay hydrated prior to, during, and after race day. See my article “What to Drink on Race Day” for more information.
That's it from Kim for now. If you follow these simple guidelines on race day you will certainly have a more enjoyable and successful day at the track. In addition to moderating nutrition questions here on Virtual Trainer, Kim also has affordable packages ranging from telephone consults to designing and administering complete nutrition and training programs. Check out her
site
for complete details! Until next time, good luck with your training and, as always, VT can be reached anytime at crytset@comcast.net
. In addition, be sure and check out the Racer X Virtual Trainer
archive section
, your complete one-stop information zone for motocross fitness. 
