As a part of a six-part content material collection introduced 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 mother and father in the case of meals, household, and sport. This fifth article shines the highlight on the full-time Nationwide Tennis Centre (NTC) introduced by Rogers in Montreal and the affect vitamin is having on the following technology of Canadian tennis skills.
Lavigne assists the gamers in the case of meals, hydration, snacks, electrolyte consumption, and dietary supplements based mostly on their schedules. She additionally meets with the households initially 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 thing 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 prepare 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 rapidly studying what a distinction an improved weight-reduction plan could make and that correct vitamin for a high-performance athlete is about rather more than simply consuming three well-balanced meals per day. Miko Lapalme, who’s certainly one of 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 essential what you set in your physique to provide your finest efficiency. It’s a must to take note of what you eat and particularly when to eat what. Timing is vital,” Lapalme mentioned. “I eat extra usually, 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 at all times a protein, greens, and a starch, often leftovers from dinner the evening earlier than, or a sandwich with salad. Supper is identical and his favorite meal is steak and potatoes with any sort 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 vital 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 event 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 vitamin and studying the way to correctly nourish their our bodies.
