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Eating for Sports

By Mary L. Gavin, MD, Kids Health, 10/22/18, 12:00PM PDT

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It's important to consider how much time you actually spend being active and training for your sport. Attending a soccer practice can be an intense or light workout, depending on a variety of factors. 

When you play a sport, you make sure you have the equipment you need, like your glove for baseball, cleats for soccer and high-top sneakers for basketball. You couldn't play the game very well without this gear. But how do you help your game from the inside out?

You shouldn't go swallowing a pair of shin guards, that's for sure! But you should consider swallowing some healthy food packed with the nutrients you need. The right foods and drinks can help you be a better athlete. Professional athletes know this is true. In fact, many professional teams employ dietitians and nutritionists — people who know a lot about healthy eating — to help players choose the best foods.