Food vs. Supplements for Teen Athletes

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 Did you know that up to 74% of high school athletes use some type of supplement? That’s what a survey of 25,000 male and female athletes found. This study, conducted in Louisiana, found teens using the following supplements:

• 71% protein shakes
  
  
• 38% multivitamins
  
  
• 18% nitric oxide boosters
  
  
• 16% amino acids
  
  
• 16% weight gain products
  
  
• 10% weight loss products
  
  
• 8% creatine
  
  
• 5% anabolic steroids
  
  
• 4% human growth hormone
  
  

Why are teens turning to supplements? Teens turn to supplements when they want to improve their strength, muscle mass, athletic performance, energy level or physique/appearance. Poor food choices may play a role, as teens try to make up for haphazard meal schedules and reliance on fast foods.

Skipping breakfast is probably the number one worst food habit for teen athletes. Teens are also tempted to skip meals or not eat much during the day because they are busy and don’t get enough breaks to eat. This leads to over-eating in the evening. Tavis Piattoly, MS, RD, LDN is a New Orleans based sports nutritionist who works with college and pro athletes. He says that big meals and snacks at night combined with inadequate sleep contribute to fat gain and a poor body composition. Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD, the internationally recognized sports dietitian from Boston, recommends that athletes “fuel by day,” eating their calories when they are needed for activity.

Here are some tips for helping teens in your family:



• Keep “grab and go” breakfast foods on hand. Examples include bagels, yogurt, fruits, hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter sandwiches, granola bars and individual boxes of cereal
  
  
• Pack snacks for school breaks and for before and/or after sports practices or games. Try raisins, graham crackers with peanut butter, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, individual fruit cups, fresh fruit, sandwiches, yogurt tubes, milk in “juice box” packaging, or string cheeses.
  
  
• Help teens to plan dinners that provide lean protein and plenty of vegetables. The plate method is a simple meal planning tool that teens can use at home or when they are away.
  
  
  
  
  
  

 © 2015 Kathleen Searles, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN