Coach's Guide to Nutrition: Fuel with School Lunch
July 23, 2024
School lunches can provide a number of healthy options for student-athletes and students in after-school clubs and activities. Fueling your brain is just as important as fueling your body. By eating lunch at school every day and including milk, protein, carbs, and color, you are setting yourself up for success on the field and in the classroom.
School meals are a great option for student-athletes because they are planned with growing bodies in mind. Your athletes might need a second meal or additional snacks, though, if they are still hungry or are not meeting their calorie needs.
COACHES: Contact your school's food service department to learn how they can support your team’s nutrition goals.
School lunches are made with student nutrition in mind!
Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.
Fuel Up for Daytime Fasting with Proper Nutrition, Hydration
February 17, 2026
Some athletes follow periods of daytime fasting for personal or religious reasons, such as Ramadan. Fasting from dawn to sunset requires thoughtful planning around nutrition and hydration. With adjustments to meal timing and fluid intake, athletes can continue to support their training, performance, and recovery while observing the fast.
Eating a balanced meal before dawn helps provide sustained energy throughout the day. Including a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats can help fuel muscles and promote fullness.
When breaking fast, athletes should focus on prioritizing complex carbohydrates for energy, along with protein and healthy fats to help the body recover and prepare for the next day’s activity.
Hydration during non-fasting hours is also key, and fluids should be consumed throughout the evening rather than all at once.
With careful planning around meals, fluids, and nutrient balance, athletes can successfully navigate fasting while maintaining strength, endurance, and overall performance.
Click: Practical nutrition & hydration guidance for athletes who observe daytime fasting, such as Ramadan.
