Okay, so I’ve been getting into tennis lately, and let me tell you, figuring out what to eat before a match is a whole thing. I mean, you want energy, but you don’t want to feel like you just ate a Thanksgiving dinner either. So here’s how I tackled it.
First, I started reading up on what other people do. I found some basic advice, you know, the usual “eat carbs, avoid heavy stuff.” But I needed something more concrete.
So, I decided to experiment. I started small, trying different foods before my practice sessions. On day one, I had a banana and a handful of almonds about an hour before playing. It was okay, but I felt a bit sluggish halfway through.
Experimenting With Different Foods
- Day 1: Banana and almonds. Result: Felt sluggish.
- Day 2: Oatmeal with berries. Result: Better energy, but a bit too heavy.
- Day 3: Whole wheat toast with peanut butter. Result: This was the winner!
Next, I tried oatmeal with some berries. This gave me more sustained energy, but I also felt a bit too full. Not ideal when you’re running around the court.
Then, I hit on something that worked like a charm: whole wheat toast with peanut butter. I ate it about 90 minutes before my match, and it was perfect. I felt energized, light, and ready to go. I played one of my best matches that day, actually!
I also made sure to hydrate properly. I drank water throughout the morning and had a sports drink about 30 minutes before the match for some extra electrolytes.
So, after all this trial and error, I figured out my pre-match meal: whole wheat toast with peanut butter, a banana on the side, and plenty of fluids. It’s simple, it works for me, and it might work for you too. Just remember to listen to your body and find what gives you the right balance of energy and lightness. This is just my personal experience. And oh boy, did it take some trial and error to get here!
Hope this helps someone out there. Happy playing!
