By observing a table filled with high school students and student
athletes, a quick glance shows the different meanings of portion
controls. In high school, most non athletes, eat balanced portions to
maintain their weight and look hot in next summer’s bikini. Lunches
typically consist of a light sandwich or salad. However, for most
sports with the exception of wrestling, student athletes do not focus
on calorie or carb counting because they need to eat enough food to
give them energy to excel in their activity. Gabby Ahlzadeh a varsity
swimmer from Harvard Westlake states, “I ate a big lunch every day in
order to keep up during two hour practices. What you eat really
determines how you perform.” Alex Fuchs soccer and hockey player at
Haftr commented, “you have to eat a lot. For breakfast I ate two eggs and toast for lunch a deli and after practice sometimes I would eat two dinners.” A key part of success is constantly eating to maintain a high energy level.

Also, besides eating larger meals, eating within forty-five minutes after practice or a game has ended is extremely important. In order for your body to build back up from the calorie and electrolyte draining of
your sport, refueling with simple snacks such as a power bars and
Gatorade are essential. Lauren Maldonado, a varsity tennis player and swimmer expresses, “I always carry a drink and a power bar for after practice because if I don’t as soon as I walk to my car I will feelcompletely drained.  

Dorothy Etra, Harvard Westlake ‘08 Graduate