Ice Skate Training: Eating for Energy

Do you ever feel tired before you even step on the ice? Are there times when you just don’t have the energy to skate your best? The food you eat might be the reason. Eating well plays an important role in your success as a figure skater, giving your body and mind the energy needed for peak performance.

Try picking foods from at least two of the food groups below every time you eat. Carbohydrates and fat provide your body with energy and your brain with fuel. Protein plays an important role in your body’s growth.

How often should you eat every day? Young athletes should eat three meals plus three snacks per day. You may need to bring some food with you to the rink, especially if you have early morning or after school ice time. It is important to eat before you exercise, but you may also want to have a snack when you finish up to help your body refuel after a long practice.

–Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD