Many players and parents often wonder about the optimum foods athletes should consume on game day. Well, thanks to a hook-up from Suzie Kasper, the Jr. Grizzlies Bantam AA team had the opportunity to meet with Certified Personal Trainer, Rob Takeno discuss his suggested game day nutrition.  Rob has been kind enough to let us post his dietary guidelines and suggestions for all of our Jr. Grizzlies teams to review.

A few facts about Rob Takeno:

• He earned a B.S. in Exercise Science - Southern Utah University (SUU)
• He is currently pursuing his Masters in Sports Conditioning and Performance from SUU
• He played football (linebacker) for SUU and IFL football in Alaska for the Fairbanks Grizzlies.
• He is a fitness trainer to Bantam AA goalie - Patrick Kasper

As you are well aware, in most hockey tournaments players compete in more than one game a day. Rob emphasizes that players need to be disciplined in their post-game nutrition. In order to avoid feeling sluggish in that second game, players need to replenish “energy” with carbohydrates within 15 minutes of leaving the ice.  Rob suggests chocolate milk as a good source of the 2:1 carbohydrates: proteins for this post game consumption. If a player has a problem with or doesn’t like chocolate milk, then orange juice and a cliff bar (or equivalent) is a good alternative. Every athlete is different, so Rob strongly suggests that players experiment with his suggestions before a tournament and find out what works best for them.

Thanks Rob Takeno.  

Go Grizzlies!

For Rob's Guidelines download the document below.