I'm a high-school athlete. With our intense practice schedule, I'm always tired and worn out on game days. Is there something I can eat pregame that will keep me energized without slowing me down?
- Nihal*

Your overall diet may be slowing you down on game day. During intense training, it's quite possible that you're not eating enough calories to compensate for the ones you're burning. One sign that you're not getting adequate calories is weight loss.

During training, as always, it's essential to eat a balanced diet and not skip meals to ensure you're getting adequate nutrients and maintaining energy levels, and to avoid fatigue.

An excellent pregame meal or snack will have lots of carbs, some protein, and very little, if any, fat and fiber. Fat and fiber are important elements of a balanced diet, but may lead to bloating and stomach cramps during exercise. Try a sandwich with lean deli turkey plus a piece of your favorite fruit. The carbs will give you immediate energy and the protein will give you some energy later in the game.

No matter which pregame snack you go with, remember to hydrate before, during, and after your game for peak performance.

Of course, being tired on game day can be a sign of not getting enough sleep. Most teens need at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: May 2010

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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.