Evaluating a Collegiate Athlete's Diet < Current Trends in Performance Nutrition

Jonathon and Ray-Rey discussing eating on campus.

Eating on campus is not always easy, huh, Ray-Rey?

Yeah. I've got an 8:00 class, so I have to eat before I go. But there isn't that much at the commons that I like for breakfast. Most people have cereal, but I'm lactose intolerant, so I can't drink milk. Bagels and juice are quick.

It isn't a lot of food, though. I bet you're hungry halfway through the morning.

That's why I go with the energy bar before my 11:00 lab. You can't eat in the lab, but it's 3 hours long, so I have to have something.

And you're famished after the lab, right?

Yup. No 6-inch deli sandwich for me.

Sport drink and oranges during practice are working out OK?

Right now it seems fine. The sport drink goes down pretty easy. And I've been gulping oranges during soccer practice since I was a kid. I guess it just wouldn't seem right if I didn't do it.

Hmm...a whole pepperoni pizza at 9:15? Sounds like you're a normal college student, Ray-Rey.

Dinner's a real problem for me, Jonathon. By the time I get back from practice and shower, the commons is closed. Sometimes I'm so tired that I take a nap and by the time I wake up the only thing open is the pizza place. It's killing my budget too because it's not included on my dining card. Hey, the computer is done printing. Let's take a look at the damage report.

Practice tip: Reviewing an athlete's eating pattern can reveal practical problems that might influence what and how much an athlete eats.

Remember, Practice tips are a special feature of this online unit. These tips highlight the practical application of information and will help you effectively communicate with athletes.

From Current Trends in Performance Nutrition by Marie Dunford, PhD, RD, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
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