Nutrition Is Aiding the Progress of our NTC Athletes

As a part of a six-part content material sequence offered by Sobeys, we’ll share the experience of a number of Tennis Canada spokespeople together with our nutritionist Ariane Lavigne, coaches, advisors in addition to gamers and their dad and mom relating to meals, household, and sport. This fifth article shines the highlight on the full-time Nationwide Tennis Centre (NTC) offered by Rogers in Montreal and the influence diet is having on the following technology of Canadian tennis skills.

Lavigne assists the gamers relating to meals, hydration, snacks, electrolyte consumption, and dietary supplements primarily based on their schedules. She additionally meets with the households firstly of each new session in September to supply them with tips and paperwork, so their meals consumption is acceptable whereas at house and away from the NTC. She additionally has common follow-ups with the gamers to assist them regulate their diets whereas in-tournament in line with the taking part in situations.

“With out essentially making packages the place every part is calculated and measured, it’s above all about re-evaluating what they eat,” Lavigne defined. “Giving them totally different snack choices, making them extra autonomous too, as a result of they’re at an age once they’re beginning to cook dinner a bit or they’re beginning to take an curiosity in meals, they’re in full improvement. Then we transfer on to the purely tennis aspect of issues.”

READ: NUTRITION AT THE NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE IN MONTREAL IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

The gamers are shortly studying what a distinction an improved food regimen could make and that correct diet for a high-performance athlete is about rather more than simply consuming three well-balanced meals per day. Miko Lapalme, who’s one in all six new members to hitch the NTC this season, says the most important change has been how a lot he eats whereas on court docket throughout observe periods and matches, extra particularly an elevated consumption of carbohydrates. As for Caden Colburne, one other NTC rookie, he’s consuming extra snacks all through the day than earlier than.

“It’s crucial what you set in your physique to present your greatest efficiency. It’s important to take note of what you eat and particularly when to eat what. Timing is necessary,” Lapalme mentioned. “I eat extra typically, however lighter every time. I used to eat much less unfold out over the day and eat greater meals, however that’s much less advantageous for having extra constant vitality.”

For breakfast, Lapalme could have toast with peanut butter and jam. Throughout tournaments, he opts for one thing extra substantial like eggs, potatoes, and fruit. For lunch it’s all the time a protein, greens, and a starch, often leftovers from dinner the night time earlier than, or a sandwich with salad.  Supper is identical and his favorite meal is steak and potatoes with any form of veggie. Sobeys has some nice recipe inspiration for steak dinners, together with Cajun Steak with Potatoes & Greens. For snacks, he loves dried fruit, seeds, and nuts. Plus, he likes to complete his day on the courts with a protein shake to recuperate. Whereas he is aware of it’s necessary to differ the meals he consumes, Lapalme is admittedly a little bit of the superstitious sort and can typically eat the identical meals throughout a match week if he’s taking part in properly.

The athletes on the NTC are extremely properly surrounded and profit from a variety of experience in each facet of their improvement as athletes, however there appears to be an additional sense of delight amongst them in taking management of their diet and studying correctly nourish their our bodies.