Pre- and post-match diet: carbs, proteins, fats, and quick energy sources
Before one of our league games I stuffed myself with too much protein and barely any carbs, thought it’d make me feel “lighter.” Ended up sluggish and out of gas by the second hour. After that I started adding rice or pasta before matches and noticed I could last longer without that drained feeling. Post-match, a mix of protein shake and bananas works way better than just grabbing junk food on the way home.
Discussion
Funny how routines can feel solid until a random factor shakes them up. Travel delays, last-minute schedule changes, or even the wrong meal timing can completely flip how you perform, no matter how much you planned ahead. It’s like being prepared but still rolling dice every time.
I’ve been through the same trial-and-error phase. Carbs before are non-negotiable for me now, especially oats or pasta a few hours prior. For recovery, I’ve found lean protein plus something like sweet potatoes keeps me from crashing. I actually use https://assamtribune.com/article/how-to-train-like-a-pro-cricketer-fitness-diet-and-drills-1587645 as a guide sometimes, since it breaks down how cricketers fuel depending on timing. Helped me figure out why quick sugars are okay right after heavy play but not ideal before.