Coaches Guide to Nutrition: What are Electrolytes?
January 14, 2025
Electrolytes are essential minerals that come in the form of sodium, calcium, chloride, potassium, phosphate and magnesium.
They help maintain fluid balance, regulate muscle contractions, and promote healthy brain activity.
Did You Know: An athlete can lose up to two pounds of sweat (or more) after exercising? That is equivalent to 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 20 mg calcium (all of which are found in chocolate milk).
Encourage your athletes to refuel and rehydrate those lost electrolytes with chocolate milk (a.k.a. Nature’s Sports Drink). This can help reduce the risk of stress fractures and muscle cramping.
Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.
Coach's Guide to Nutrition: Breakfast
August 13, 2024
Skipping breakfast may be impacting student-athletes at practice and in games. Encourage them to plan ahead – grab something on the way out the door or a breakfast at school.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, but fueling early in the day CAN make a big impact. Remember carbs + protein + color. Breakfast will also help your student-athletes focus during those morning classes.
Breakfast is the first opportunity to refuel since the evening before – your tank is running on empty! A small breakfast at home, on the way to school or between first and second periods will start to refuel your muscles and brain.
What to eat and when to eat it: Whole grain English muffin with scrambled egg, cheese and spinach. Add an apple and milk on the side for breakfast on the go.
Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.