Nutrition and the Travelling Athlete
Long distance travel is a way of life for many athletes. Whether you're travelling overseas, interstate or spending a couple of hours in a car or bus, your aim is to arrive ready to perform at your best. If you have trained well, you owe it to yourself to be well-prepared for your trip. Travelling for competition can often take on a holiday atmosphere, pushing good nutrition to one side. Your goal is to meet all your nutrient needs for training and competition despite the challenges presented from travelling.
Practical considerations
- Take responsibility for your own success. Bring your own food with you, so that you do not have to rely on roadside cafés or club cars for your nutrition. Nutritious portable snacks could include fruit, sandwiches, low-fat muesli bars or cereal bars, yoghurt and plenty of water.
- Long hours of travel can upset your digestive system. To minimise constipation, drink plenty of fluids and eat fibre-rich foods such as fresh fruit, wholemeal bread, breakfast cereals and vegetables. When flying, a vegetarian or low fat meal usually provides more fibre than the regular meals.
- A microwave rice cooker with combination steamer are a great travelling companion particularly if cooking facilities are limited at your destination. They’re extremely versatile allowing you to cook pasta, rice, risottos, and vegetables.
