How to Eat Before Sports Tryouts, According to a Dietitian

Foods with complex carbs will help fuel your exercise, so they're a great option to eat before sports tryouts.
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For athletes prepping for sports tryouts, the road to getting that coveted spot can be strenuous and stressful, both mentally and physically. One major factor that can help prepare you — and even give you an advantage — is fueling properly.

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Eating before your tryout will help ensure a steady supply of glucose (aka energy) circulating in your bloodstream so your body can perform at its very best.

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Below, Amy Stephens, RDN, CSSD, sports dietitian for Empire Elite Track Club in New York City, shares her tips on how athletes aiming to tryout for high school or collegiate sports can fuel before tryouts.

Tip

For individualized fueling recommendations, talk to a sports dietitian.

Types of Food to Eat Before Sports Tryouts

The average athlete is about 140 to 150 pounds and should typically take in 50 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein — about 300 to 400 calories — 1 to 2 hours before sports tryouts or exercise, Stephen says.

The carbohydrates should primarily be complex carbohydrates (think: whole grains or brown rice). Complex carbs take longer to digest than simple carbs (think: candy, cookies, donuts) and release glucose into the bloodstream at a steadier pace.

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It's best to avoid foods with lots of fiber, added sugar and saturated fat before sports tryouts because they are harder to digest and may leave you feeling sluggish. Some examples of these types of foods include salads, fried foods or fast foods.

If Tryouts Are in the Morning:

*All nutrition info below is sourced from the​ ​United States Department of Agriculture (​​USDA).

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If Tryouts Are in the Afternoon or Evening:

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Tip

If your sports tryouts are longer than 1.5 hours, bring snacks — such as a granola bar, pretzels, dried fruit, fresh fruit or drink with electrolytes — to refuel.

Other Helpful Tips for How to Fuel Before Sports Tryouts

1. Start a Schedule

While fueling in the hours before tryouts is most important, Stephens recommends getting into a good schedule about 2 to 3 days before tryouts to get your body ready.

Most athletes, especially those in high school, tend to skip breakfast, losing out on the opportunity to improve performance throughout the day, according to Stephens.

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"Food can help give you the edge to perform at your best — to give a kick versus a crash," she says.

Be mindful to get in three full, balanced meals — plus snacks — each day at regular times throughout the day. For a snapshot of what your should look to have, Stephens suggests your plate should be 1/2 carbs, 1/4 protein and 1/4 vegetables.

2. Learn to Listen to Your Body

The specific amounts of food and drink we need to take in are so individualized.

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"What works for one athlete might not work for another, and some foods might also not sit right," Stephens says.

Her suggestion: Don't test new things the day of tryouts. In the weeks leading up to the tryouts, test any new types of food or fuel and see how you feel when you exercise.

3. Consider the Type of Exercise You'll Be Doing

How you fuel for a sports tryout also depends on the specific type of sport you're venturing into. For instance, what to eat before soccer or volleyball tryouts may be different from wrestling tryouts.

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While carbohydrates and hydration is important for all, there are some differences. Wrestlers might need more protein (1.7 to 1.8g per kilogram of body-weight) where anyone running might need less (1.4 to 1.5g per kilogram of body-weight), according to Stephens.

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"In general, if you're going into an endurance sport, such as soccer or cross-country, you'll need more carbs," Stephens says.

4. Remember Fuel Also Includes Hydration

Drinking enough water is very important, but it's also extremely individualized. A good rule of thumb is to check your urine, according to Stephens.

"If your pee is dark yellow, you should drink more water," she says.

She recommends drinking 20 ounces of water about one hour before practice and sipping water as needed throughout the tryout.

"If your urine is pale yellow more than an hour after sports, you might need electrolytes. If your pee is clear and you're chugging water and still not feeling good, that's another sign you might need electrolytes," Stephens says.

She suggests adding more salt ahead of time to your foods, including your morning oatmeal or powdered drinks that contain extra sodium.