From childhood to teen years, maximizing on athletic performance, development and growth depends on eating nutritionally sound foods. Young athletes have special nutritional needs throughout their growing years. Providing them with sound nutrition requires additional planning, as they will need optimal nutrition for fueling and recovery from training. This includes knowing how to nutritionally meet the energy demands of body growth and bone maturation. Dr. Rodger, ND provides Child and Teen Group Nutrition Programs throughout school training seasons and provides coaches and kids with the knowledge of nutrients by focusing on their mealtimes before and after practice, and on game days.

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What young athletes eat and drink before competitions can make or break an important game day. If properly fueled and sufficiently hydrated, they will gain a sense of individual mastery over their physical bodies, which builds confidence and self esteem. Consistently competing without nutritional support or lack of adequate hydration can lead to serious problems including: headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness and fatigue, accident and injuries from lack of mental concentration, hyperventilation and heat stroke.  

 

Integrating nutrition into athletic programs helps to develop healthy lifetime habits in young athletes that builds and fortify healthy bodies during important developmental years. When functioning at optimal nutritional potential, it also helps young athletes to prevent and recover faster from accidents and injuries.