Rugby Nutrition

What's up friends, its your favorite Member at Large here to give you some helpful nutritional advice to equip you for a healthy and victorious Spring 2012 half.

Water
I shouldn't need to state the obvious, but I will. Water is incredibly important to an athelete - if you need to know why look it up on Wikipedia. Bring water to evening practices, and drink a few extra glasses while you are at work. If you're unemployed drink some water while you are on your couch doing what bums do.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Let's face it, most of us are around 30 years old. Sure, there are a few tough old farts still rocking out and children still living with their Ma, but regardless Glucosamine and Chondroitin will save your joints and cartilege in the vicious winter training months. As you may be aware rugby is a contact sport, and it is especially stressful on one's joints.

Calcium Magnesium Zinc
Arguably the most important combination of minerals necessary for athletic development. This medley contributes to a number of functions including bone health, muscle contractions, nerve reacation, and growth. An average diet will be deficient in supplying adequate quantites necessary for athletic development.

Whey Protein
The rule of thumb for bodybuilding is a 1:1 ratio for protein(g) to body weight(lbs) to increase muscle mass. For an athlete I'd recommend 0.75:1.0 ratio. Looking at food labels you'll quickly realize that's a tough and expensive pill to swallow with food alone. Invest in some whey protein. I'd recommend a morning shake conisting of a bananna (potassium) strawberry yogurt (extra protein) and lowfat milk(more protein) for around 60g of protein per serving. The alternative is shoveling sausages down your throat all day.

Bonus : Hangover Medicine
As much as rugby is about crushing your enemies and drinking the tears of their loved ones, it is also about drinking alcohol. To keep your body in peek match shape drink one glass of water, one glass of tomato juice and take two aspirin before bed. In the morning take 1000mg of B-Complex vitamins. The tomato juice will provide your body with salt, replenishing your electrolytes and increasing water retention in your severely dehydrated brain. The B-Complex vitamins will flush your kidneys, and hopefully protect your organs from shutting down at a later date do to years of abuse. S-I-E-N-C-E!