Whether you’re planning a long live poker playing session or multi-tabling the Sunday majors you want to eat right, have energy and not be over indulgent. Most people who sit for long periods of time do not know what to consume in order to get some extra needed energy and more importantly keeping the brain sharp. I have come up with some simple eating habits and foods that you can easily have on hand at any time.
Eating four to five small meals instead of three large meals a day is also a good habit to start getting into. Have your meals set aside from one day to another so you won’t be tempted to eat something that is not as nutritious as you would’ve hoped to. Eating whole grains is very important in a good diet. Whole grains are high in fiber and also contain antioxidants that reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. When preparing a sandwich pick the whole grain instead of the white bread. White bread has no added nutrients like the whole grain. Whole grain pastas and rice are also an excellent source of fiber. Whole grains will give you the energy that you need to focus. Adults should be consuming from six to eleven servings of whole grains a day.
If you are playing poker from morning till night (hopefully) this is an example of a few food items to have on hand.
Breakfast- have a bowl of oatmeal combine it with raisins, honey and yogurt for extra flavor and energy.
Bananas are a great fruit that is packed with potassium which helps your muscles contract. One a day can prevent stiffness that comes from sitting at a desk all day.
Orange Juice is extremely high in vitamin C and will give you a great boost.
Salmon- Fish is high in protein and its high concentration of omega 3s, fats and B vitamins. It can boost your cardiovascular health. It’s quick to prepare and delicious.
Beans- It is a small but very powerful vegetable that is loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. You can add beans to soups, pastas and dip to give them added flavor and nutritional value.
Dried fruit- You can put a few different dried up fruit in small Ziploc bags and have them ready at any time. Apricots, figs, raisins, add some nuts and almonds for some added protein. Be careful of how many nuts and almonds you add to the bag because they are high in fat.
Yogurt- is easily accessible to have while you are playing poker at your desk. It comes in a variety of flavors and it has about 13 grams of protein and 17 grams of carbohydrate for a quick snack with energy.
When preparing your meals don’t forget about portion control! Eating smaller meals more frequently is a great way to get your metabolism working harder for you. These are all great little tools that you can use in order to get your body where you want it to be for your next big game.