Food and Beverage consumption during tournament play

What works for me is to eat well the night before, then eat lightly the rest of the day. Fruits and veggies are great but sometimes you have to get what's available. Even if I have to eat a burger, I'll eat half or less. I will snack every couple of hours that way I don't get too hungry.
 
Exercising and being fit would definitely be an advantage. I did a little research and I guess a better way would be to have granola bars, nuts, fruit, maybe some energy bars low in sugar and water is a good way to keep going. Those are ideal cause you don't need to refrigerate. I was advised to try and eat every 2-3 hours, small snacks. It doesn't compensate for a full course meal though which is nice to kill some time during matches. I am going to try it for my next tournament and see how I feel.

I know a WPBA pro brings granola bars and nuts with her and eats them throughout the day. GuyI-NJ loves nuts.

Christian


Your comment almost slipped past me... you crack me up. worldison2 thinks you bring the condoms in case a water balloon fight breaks out, is that true?
 
I was wondering if any vegetarians (or even vegans) would chime in... :)

Folks like you have it even worse than the rest of us when it comes to pool room food.

Yeah, you pretty much have to count on not being able to eat in the pool room, and then be pleasantly surprised if you find that you can.

I guess it's a good thing I think pairing up a beer with a couple of side orders of beer makes a fine dinner. Hell, I sometimes throw in another beer or two for garnish. Add one more and you can enjoy your first beer au jus. Beer dessert you say? I'm in! ;)

Aaron
 
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Your comment almost slipped past me... you crack me up. worldison2 thinks you bring the condoms in case a water balloon fight breaks out, is that true?

Ummm that's hysterical. I have a good story about water balloon fights in S. America.

No, I used to carry them to use as a tip protector.

Christian
 
I agree with what many have posted already

During a long day or days competing, I don't want to load up on something heavy or with a lot of sugar. I will try to lightly carb load maybe the day before, definitely the morning of an all day event. I do beleive in supporting the venue but not at the cost of weakening my ability to play. I'll spend money there on something other than high sugar or greasy food. Alcohol is out if I am seriously competing both from the effects of alcohol and from the effects of pouring that many liquid calories into my system.

I do like having a small banana or two handy and some light snacks. I don't have any experience with the energy bars so I can't say anything about them one way or another. Like others have mentioned, I am trying to stay level, maybe even a little hungry. I don't want to be hungry enough that it is a distraction but at the same time a well fed dog doesn't hunt well. Aside from anything else that well fed feeling of contentment is counter to the competitive fire that I need to play my best.

Hu
 
almost everybody responding here sound like they are trying to maintain a very sensitive, finely tuned machine....

Puhleeeeeeese....
 
I agree with MilwShooter to a degree about the sugars.

It is most important - especially over a long period - to maintain your sugar levels. We are both diabetic and have to watch it very closely. Even those who aren't diabetic, however, can have highs and lows because of their sugar - they just don't know that's what is causing it.

If we start a tournament in the morning - we MUST eat before we play - around an hour before..... we bring peanut butter crackers, bananas or fruit to snack in between and drink lots of water. An occasional soda isn't too bad, but beware of drinking too many..... for any meals that you eat at the location - do your best to stay away from the FRIED ones! I'd rather eat a hot dog than something deep fried. I will yo-yo in a heartbeat.

It's okay to eat lots of snacks or small meals - its better for maintaining.... don't eat a big meal and don't try to starve yourself - it isn't good. People some times ask me why I am always eating (of course, it just LOOKS that way;)) and I have to explain that it is necessary to keep my sugar levels right....

Many of the losses - whether just matches or tournaments - that I remember, are ones where I didn't take care of myself during the event. :mad: IT GOES ALONG WITH YOUR PRACTICE AND BEING PREPARED - nothing to take lightly!
 
I have competed against the best in the world

almost everybody responding here sound like they are trying to maintain a very sensitive, finely tuned machine....

Puhleeeeeeese....


I have competed against the best in the world. I couldn't afford to spot them anything, including not being at my physical best.

Can you?

Hu
 
tournament tennis players concentrate on what they eat more about 15 or 20 hours before play, i guess that is the more important "fuel" food as far as the timing goes. something to consider anyway :)

nice topic.
 
Learn from Alex...just before he mounted his incredible comeback against SVB, he ate fruit. A well-timed banana can boost you right thru the tough times.


this has to have merit, ive seen the beach volleyball guys do this. although, again, i think what you eat about a day before may be more important, this is counterintuitive, but true i believe.
 
important from about then

this has to have merit, ive seen the beach volleyball guys do this. although, again, i think what you eat about a day before may be more important, this is counterintuitive, but true i believe.

They may be carb loading. I don't do it and forget the details after years. First you deplete the carb's in your body and then you load, maybe six thousand calories of pure carb's. Done correctly it can give you increased stamina and energy, done wrong and you boink and are done. However it is still important how you eat the actual day of competition too. If I am going to a major event I start considering what I am eating several days early and plan when and what I am going to eat the day of the competition too. Although I have been known to prep pretty seriously for pool I also have competed at other things that taught me the importance of having your body right to perform your physical best.

Although we might not think of pool as being much exercise, long hours in the pool room perhaps multiple days, does take it's toll on our bodies. If when we make it to the late stages we still have gas in the tank and the other player is exhausted then we have a large edge. The reverse is true if we are the ones exhausted and the other player still has the energy needed to fire for one more set.

Hu
 
since you asked

was the end result any different?

That... and $2 will get you a cup of coffee.

Since you asked, yes the end result was different. I always compete better when I know I am prepared physically and mentally. I have beaten world record holders, hall of famers, and current champions. I would have not had the mental game to beat them had I not known I had done everything possible to prepare myself to win.

Only the foolish give the best in the world spots even if it is unofficial ones. Not being prepared in every way you know how is giving them a spot.

Hu
 
I like buying some fruit like bananas and the EAS protein drinks that taste pretty good, you can get a 4 pack at walmart for like $4,
and try some 5 hour energy or vitamin b12..... after that you should be good to go
 
five hour energy drink

I like buying some fruit like bananas and the EAS protein drinks that taste pretty good, you can get a 4 pack at walmart for like $4,
and try some 5 hour energy or vitamin b12..... after that you should be good to go

James,

I have gotten some reports on the five hour energy drink but not from pool players. How does it affect your game or does it? Jittery or not? Feel like a rush and/or a crash or mild stimulant and let down gently?

Thanks for any information. I don't do any of the energy drinks and probably shouldn't with blood pressure issues but I am always curious about such things.

Hu
 
Depends on the energy drink. I have gotten pretty jittery off of Rockstar and Red Line. But red bull and monster just seem like a bunch of sugar and don't really affect me a whole lot. 5 hour energy made me crash pretty bad and I didn't even feel like the 'high' was that great.

I usually wake up the day of a tournament (forgetting when it is) with a hangover. So I am usually fighting that all day with more beers, lol. I will be the first to admit that I do not take care of my body before a pool match. It doesn't feel like it affects me until late in the day. So depending on the length of the tourney, I can see how someone would prep themselves, much like marathon runners.

I have been known to gobble down half a jar of peanut butter though. That usually holds me over for a day of pool.
 
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