Many bowlers grew up on pretzels, pizzas and donuts combined with soft drinks and beer as the standard fare when bowling. While these foods have their merits, these are best avoided when you’re playing in the big leagues (i.e., tournaments). You will need the nutrients for stamina, strength and concentration during the game.
Ask the staff at Stars & Strikes for the healthy menu. You should be able to find healthy food that will feed your mind and body’s specific athletic needs. Keep these tips in mind, too.
Always Eat Before a Game
And don’t forget to eat your breakfast, too, even when your game is in the afternoon. Breakfast is a must because it will provide your body with the right start for the day, mainly by kick-starting your metabolism.
We recommend eating low glycemic foods since these keep your blood sugar level steady throughout the day. Instead of high glycemic foods like pancakes, cereals and waffles, eat plain oatmeal (i.e., no added sugars), eggs, nuts and seeds, granola bars, and Greek yogurt. You can also munch on a few of these foods, such as nuts and seeds, during the game to stave off your hunger pangs and feed your body’s needs for energy.
Choose Your Snacks Wisely
While it will be tempting to snack on fatty, sugary and salty foods, you should avoid them like the plague. You will only be doing your game more harm than good because of the adverse effects of these foods on your body.
Instead, you should eat real food, or food that has been minimally processed. Nuts and seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grain toast are the best choices.
If you want, you can read the labels on so-called sports food and drinks. You will realize that these contain a mix of weird ingredients including pectin, stabilizers, and preservatives. You may even end up with a sugar crash or an upset stomach if you eat too many of these processed foods.
Stay Hydrated
Even in an air-conditioned bowling alley, your body will still sweat. You must then stay hydrated during the entirety of a game so that your body’s fluid – and salt, while you’re at it – will continually be replenished.
But stick with water instead of the sports drinks, wines and beers on the menu. You may drink tea, too, for its hydrating and refreshing quality but limit its sugar content. You don’t want a sugar high and low episode occurring due to an otherwise healthy drink.
Even on the off-season when you’re not competing, you should still be mindful of what you eat and drink. Your discipline in diet will show in your game.