Racing diet

[Riff Raff]

I recently started taking a kettle and stuff to the racetrack, and each time I've been providing more goodies for the racers and crew in our pit garage. Muffins, hot chocolates, cappuccinos, muesli bars, fruit (usually bananas and mandarins), chippies etc. Now whilst providing all this has made me popular with some, it's probably not the best for optimum performance and concentration on the race track.

So what should I be providing? What foods will keep our racers alert and on top of their game?

[Joni]

Im not saying Im right, but I get lots of water to keep hydration (no other drinks), fruit and for lunch I do a bacon and egg pie. Keeps Kick and Divvo happy... not sure if its the best tho...

I also saw that rolls with ham, salad stuff, cheese etc was quite popular that another lady brought, and I thought that was quite a good idea, as everyone can make what they like and its healthy.

Lollies or anything with a high sugar content will cause sugar peaks and lows which is not great when you are moving over 200km an hour.

:spudwhat:

[Nasty]

We provide lunch for the volenteers and although not the same we give them warm good ... e.g. a warm cup of thick soup and a sausage ... I think something not too heavy so that they don't feel like sleeping in the pm is a good way .. like pie or something with grains.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I usually have a pork pie and fruit and cheese and bread and water etc in a cooler. also a thermos of coffee. Ithats IF I am awake enough or organised enough to sort it before I go). Otherwise its gas station pies and coke and chocolate and shit like that.

[Riff Raff]

I've thought about taking the crock pot down and doing chicken soup - great for the Winter series.

Just wondering how diet affects performance. I know by the end of the day I'm completely knackered (and I'm not even racing) and I wonder how much of that is caused by the junk food I've eaten.

Diet plays a big part in other sports so I guess it's no different for motorbike racing.

[ManDownUnder]

Wheres cola when you need him. He's da man on this stuff...

[Keystone19]

Actually Sue, I don't think you're too far off the mark with what you are providing. The aim would be to keep energy levels up consistently throughout the day while possibly wanting to provide some peak energy for racing. The options you are providing are all the types of foods we would tend to eat while competing in endurance racing - food that is nutritious but also tastes good. You may want to consider using supplements such as powergels or squeezies (try leppin for example www.leppin.co.nz) just prior to racing to give that extra boost - these need to be taken with plenty of water. I know some racers are starting to use these supplements with good results. Happy to talk to you more about the specifics anytime.

[Joni]

IMO diet/nutrition affects everything...

Protein high helps with endurance which is important.

Caffienne (sp?), coffee, tea what ever promotes de-hydration which affects brain and body activity.

Sugar as I say energy levels variances.

etc etc... I've read about this stuff lots... and try to help Kick that way.

PS. one thing though, it helps stuff all if you cook and prepare stuff and they dont like it, so that means they wont eat it. waste of time and energy.

[Paul in NZ]

I suggest you go for low GI foods. They take longer to digest and should not give the spikes that high fat/sugar foods do..

You may want to consider having a lot of smaller snacks rather than a 'meal' as such. I find myself a little sleepy after a big lunch... This does complicate the catering though.. Sports drinks can re hydrate quickly on hot days but I find them too sugary... Coffee just makes you want to pee a lot but a few cups won't kill ya.. (I hope)

[Riff Raff]

Been doing some Googling. According to Carl Fogarty:

Diet is an important part of becoming a world champion. When you are training for your competitions, you must stay off the booze and eat only pasta, chocolate and bananas.

At the height of his success, Fogerty would have two or three bananas and a cup of tea before his competition.

[Paul in NZ]

Sounds like basic carb loading... Lots of controversy over bananas - not from me - I love em! Make sure you go for green ones, over ripe ones = sugar...

[Joni]

Bananas are extremely high in potassium which is an endurance thing again... keeping the mind and body sharp from beginning to end is pretty important I reckon, no use if you start like a demon and finish like a fairy. So I undertsand what he means Riff Raff.

[Goblin]

I swear by tuna sandwiches. Not that I am a fast racer but I think the omega 3,6,9 is great brain food and has to be good for me. Also lots of water.

[Rashika]

I'm still working out what is good for me. I dont eat high carb stuff at all (at least I TRY my best not to) so it makes it difficult to figure out the right stuff.

Usually I go for small snacky stuff that I can eat and digest quickly:
cold cuts eg cold chook nibbles, or ham or hard boiled eggs or B&E pie or slices of cheese
SOUP would be great but I haven't really got a way of having it warm, could try a thermos I guess, but soup would be ideal
NUTS; almonds, macas and cashews, I dont like peanuts but they'd do as well
A protein bar or homemade protein balls (my secret recipe)
LOTS OF WATER!
...and usually one sugerfree V to sip during the day, but only the one cos I'm not a caffeine drinker normally, and often I dont finish it. Its good if you are starting to feel a bit jaded.

Trying to generally eat protein and stay away from the biscuits, but it is hard work at times cos you do use a lot of energy, and often feel completely knackered afterward. Actually the last racing I did I managed to stay low carb the whole day and surprisingly didn't feel as exhausted. I figure lots of small snacks all day is the best recipe

[Shaun]

I reccomend you make your rider train harder

Drink less coffee at the race track

Drink more water

and feed them on, what will make them take a dump, other wise, NO Dump, they wil die