Some players have superstitions and routines that they follow before a game, sometimes they may have had a great game after eating 2 large burgers washed down by fries and soda so they follow the same routine. Well the routine is a good thing but the superstition is nothing more than that, putting the right food into your body is crucial to perform well and especially the 24 hours before a game.

It’s not going to be news to anyone that athletes need to consumer more carbohydrates than not active individuals. These carbohydrates are the complex ones that you always hear about, so rice, whole grain products and pasta. [ Click Here --> The Good Carb Cookbook: Secrets of Eating Low on the Glycemic Index]

The day before the game is very important, this is the day you should also be loading up on those carbohydrates and keeping hydrated.

One the day of the game and about 3 to 4 hours before a game you should getting ready for your last ‘meal’, you may be having some smaller snacks closer to game time but this is your last chance to eat a meal and allow enough time for digestion.

Try and stay clear of any fatty foods, dairy products, soda and caffeinated drinks the day of the game. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water but again across the 24 hours before a game and not chugging a gallon before you get on the pitch. You need to keep correctly hydrated leading up to the game. Don’t forget to continue hydrating during the game as you will be losing a lot of liquid via sweating, this would be the time to have a sport drink over water.

Don’t experiment with foods that you’re normally don’t eat, having a extra spicy chili dog from a new restaurant for lunch before a game may not be the best idea!

It may be tempting to have some high sugar type snacks to get energy but stay clear of the refined sugar, stick to fresh fruit. Smaller snacks and fruit would be the right food to choose if you need to have a light snack an hour or 90 minutes before a game.