Eating the proper foods is a key element of youth baseball training. When coaching youth baseball, the coach should encourage players to bring water and snacks to practice (or better yet, make these available rather than relying on the kids). The coach should also explain to the players that proper nutrition while at home will help them play better baseball overall.
When kids are young, their food choices are mostly made for them. As they grow up and begin to make their own choices, they need to be taught about food and its impact on the body. This way they can make better choices for themselves, leading to stronger and healthier kids. Parents’ nagging often falls on deaf ears. But most players listen to their coaches! A coach can be a great ally for parents in helping their sons eat better.
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Here are some basic nutritional facts that should be taught to youth baseball players:
1. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle. Kids must eat protein to build up their strength.
2. Carbohydrates provide quick energy. Kids should understand the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates, and they should be instructed to choose complex carbohydrates that will give them longer and more consistent energy.
3. What types of food provide protein? It is surprising to find out that many kids don’t know the answer to this question! The coach should make sure his players know this.
4. Explain to the players that the less processed food is, the healthier it is. Fresh fruits and vegetables and unprocessed meats should be their first choices.
5. It is becoming widely accepted that eating more, but smaller, meals is a healthier way to eat. Have kids try to plan to eat healthy six times a day. This may help cut down on bad snacking habits.
If kids understand some basic facts about nutrition, and these are emphasized by their coach, they will be more likely to follow a healthier diet. It may not be perfect, and given they are kids it won’t be, but if they choose a banana over a candy bar just a few times a week it will make a huge, long-term difference!