Divya, a Chennai-based sports nutritionist, has been coordinating with team hotels to ensure the players stick to their diet charts and interacts with the players individually to implement the plan.
The nutrition expert is a necessity for teams now, especially since they spend 5-6 days in quarantine before the league and knockout phases of all domestic competitions.
Speaking to TOI about what goes into planning a team’s diet, Divya, who has over a decade’s experience of working with athletes across sport, explained: “They get boxed meals in quarantine but what we have to factor in is that they will be training in their rooms. We coordinate with the chefs in team hotels, the trainer and the individual players to understand the requirements. Also, their dietary preferences have to be factored in since a few of them are vegetarians.”
On coordinating with the team hotels, Divya pointed out, “We request the chefs to change the menu according to the dietary requirements. Sometimes they give them desserts, which is banned during a tournament. Instead, we opt for an extra portion of sautéed vegetables.”
Divya also revealed that the diet plans vary depending on the player’s specialisation.
“The diet plans change according to the position they play. It’s different for the batsmen compared to the bowlers. Even among bowlers the nutrition requirement of the pacers is different from spinners. Pacers get more carbohydrates and proteins, which is very essential for their recovery.”
To help players avoid unhealthy food, Divya revealed energy bars have been made available.
“We have introduced custom-made energy bars, which are rich in antioxidants that help in recovery and also supplements,” she added.
It is not just food, even hydration of players has been zeroed in on.
“In hydration we had to bring about a change because the right amount of energy drinks need to be consumed. We have given energy drinks in measured portions to players individually,” she said.
DO-IT-YOURSELF KITS
With resources limited amid the pandemic, players have been given a checklist of basic ingredients to be carried on tour. While it is yet to be implemented for the senior Karnataka team, the U-25 team has been given a list of ingredients for their Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kits.
“The U-25 players have been asked to carry cinnamon powder, turmeric and pepper which are immunity boosters. They will have to mix the ingredients in water and drink before going to sleep. Going forward we will request the senior players also to do the same,” stated Divya.
‘NUTRITION PLAYS MAJOR ROLE’
Karnataka senior team’s strength and conditioning coach AT Rajamani Prabhu said, “Nutrition plays a major role in a player’s career. During the course of a tournamentm, if they put on even 500gm, it affects them drastically, reducing their reactive time and speed. It is also essential for recovery. With a nutritionist on board, we are now able to monitor the players’ daily intake.”
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