In keeping with Row New York’s mission to provide our student athletes with lessons they can use throughout their lives, each of our teams has been visited by a nutritionist, Paula Meyer, through this winter season. At these sessions our student-athletes were taught how to live a healthy life by both eating well for their changing bodies and getting enough sleep. With interactive demonstrations like how to make great after-workout smoothies and smart trail mix, our kids had a great time and learned a ton as well.
We quizzed a few of our rowers about what they learned and were quite pleased with what they took away from the workshops!
Nile H. 9th grade:
What I learned:
I learned what to eat. I learned that eating a bagel before and after practice is a good idea. I found it surprising that fruits and veggies are carbs and healthy to eat before working out.
Changes I’ll make:
I am going to change my diet very much. I know now to eat more fruit. I am going to get more sleep as well. So far I haven’t made any changes to my diet yet but I am getting more sleep. Now I don’t sleep during my first class of the day.
Why I think nutrition is important:
Nutrition is important because what you eat impacts how you do during work or a race.
Amayda A. 9th grade:
What I learned:
I learned a lot. I learned that people have different body types and should eat differently. Also, its important to not eat anything too light or too heavy before a workout. I was surprised by how much water we actually need to be drinking.
Changes I’ll make:
I realized I need to make a lot of changes. I need to cut down on sugars, eat more fruits before practice and make sure to eat breakfast and lunch. So far I’ve started to eat breakfast and I feel like I can concentrate more now.
Why I think nutrition is important:
It is important because a lot of the foods you eat affect how you perform.
Nathalie C. 9th grade:
What I learned:
I learned what kind of things we should be eating before practice, like fats and carbs. I was surprised by how much water we had to drink.
Changes I’ll make:
I need to drink more water and eat more often. My lunch period is early in the day and I go too long without eating after it. So far I have been drinking water more and now my mouth doesn’t dry out during practice. I have also been trying to eat after school so I have fuel for practice. It is definitely making me be able to work harder because I am less fatigued.
Why I think nutrition is important:
What you eat fuels you and without the right nutrition you can’t achieve what you want to achieve during practice.
Row New York would like to thank Paula Meyer for conducting the workshops with our athletes!
Look out for updates throughout the spring season to see how are athletes are continuing to improve their nutrition!
