Make a shopping list before you go to the grocery store, and shop after having eaten a meal. That enhances your chances of choosing more of the best sports foods, and less of the rest. Examples of these foods include:
- Orange juice rather than a sports drink
- Oranges instead of range juice
- Oatmeal (served with a little honey) instead of frosted flakes
- Whole wheat bread rather than white bread
- Scrambled eggs instead of Eggo waffles
- Baked potatoes in place of French fries
- Plain yogurt sweetened with maple syrup instead of pre-sweetened yogurt
- Trail mix rather than M&Ms
- Protein bars rather than candy bars.
More: Top 6 Energy Bars for Runners
Not Only for Athletes With ADHD
If you find yourself edgy and unable to focus in the afternoon, experiment with reorganizing your meals and snacks into four (calorically-equal) food buckets and notice the benefits: better focus, fewer cravings for "sweets"—and better performance.
For more information about management of ADHD in kids and adults: http://www.additudemag.com.
More: Common Food Cravings and What They Mean
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About the Author
Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) helps both casual and competitive athletes learn how to eat a winning sports diet. Her practice is in Newton, Massachusetts (617-795-1875). The fifth edition of her Sports Nutrition Guidebook is available at www.nancyclarkrd.com. Also see sportsnutritionworkshop.com for online CEUs.
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