The pre-game meal is crucial to performance on the field so we checked in with Sporting KC Fitness Coach Mateus Manoel about what professional players should eat before matches. Let’s see if the pre-game meals of defender Aurelien Collin, midfielder Benny Feilhaber, goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen and defender Seth Sinovic match up.
Mateus Manoel, Fitness Coach
What do you tell players to eat before the game?
"Typically, a player should eat 4-5 hours before kickoff. It should include mostly carbohydrates like pastas and breads. We also look to get some sort of protein in there. Usually, the red meats are cut out. We want something like a fish or chicken that’s either baked or grilled; never fried. We try to limit the amount of greens they have like spinach and lettuce. As humans, we don’t have the enzymes to process those legumes like cows do. We take 7-8 hours to process those greens. If you have a meal like that before a game, you’ll still have it in your stomach on the field. Broccoli, green peppers and tomatoes are easy to absorb and great sources of carbs. The players can include those in the pre-game meal. It’s basically simple veggies, pasta, some form of lean protein and lots of fruits.
Which players are stubborn about eating right?
They are all tough. Nowadays, you get some of the more modern players who are used to the more modern foods. If you were to talk to a player 20 or 30 years ago, the amount of processed foods we currently have in the supermarket didn’t exist. Now, you go to a typical player’s home, and everything they have is in a package or frozen. They don’t go buy fresh every couple days. We want to gear them toward having more of the stuff that grows out of the ground. It’s fresh and full of minerals and vitamins. We try to get away from processed foods and eat more of the natural stuff.
Do players ever eat at halftime?
It’s normal to be hungry at halftime. 45 minutes is a long time to work. They should be hungry if they’re running enough. Nuts, granola, and fruits are good to eat at halftime.
Aurelien Collin, Defender
What is your typical pre-game meal?
For a night game, red meat and pasta, a little salad, and fruits.
Do you treat yourself after a win?
I eat whatever I want to eat. Most of the time, I’m not that hungry after the game. I have to wait a couple of hours. Then I eat a lot. I usually eat something heavy like African, Latino, or French food. Just something big.
Benny Feilhaber, Midfielder
We think people may be interested in your pre-game meal. What do you usually eat?
People are not going to be interested in my pre-game meal (laughs). I don’t want to answer in front of Mateus (Sporting KC Fitness Coach).
So what are you supposed to eat and what do you really eat?
What I’m supposed to eat is the blandest pasta, the blandest marinara sauce, and the blandest chicken. Mateus, what other bland stuff can we have?
Mateus: (laughs) No, he has Alfredo sauce and fried chicken.
Benny: No! Not friend chicken.
Mateus: Just say the truth.
Benny: When we’re on the road, we basically eat what Mateus gives us: pasta, marinara sauce, chicken, and some veggies. We usually eat about five hours before the game. I tend to eat something in between because five hours is too long. I’ll usually eat something like a protein bar or fruit. When I’m at home, I eat later. I usually eat something pretty bland. I’ll eat pasta, but I’ll try and put maybe meat sauce or at least some good chicken. The chicken they give us is so bland. There’s literally no taste to it. I try and eat something more interesting and tasty at home.
What can you eat after the game?
After the game, we’re allowed to eat a little bit more. I’ll usually have a heavier meal. Then they’ll give us chocolate chip cookies to satisfy our needs.
Jimmy Nielsen, Goalkeeper
Tell us about your pre-game meal.
I have been eating the same food before every game for 18 years. When we play on the road, it’s a little bit out of my hands. But when we’re home, I eat my wife’s Spaghetti Bolognese. It’s very simple, but very good. My wife and kids hate it. They’re sick and tired of it.
But they know they have to eat it every home game?
Every home game. So Saturday, it’s Spaghetti Bolognese. With croutons! I love it and they hate it.
After the game, do you treat yourself?
No, no. Is this for kids or adults?
For the Sporting Blog.
I have two beers after the game.
Seth Sinovic, Defender
What do you usually eat on game days?
I’ll usually wake up and have a couple eggs and some toast. Four hours before the game, I’ll have a lot of pasta with red sauce. That’s about it.
Do you treat yourself after the game?
Not really, nothing too special. We have food for us after the game like sandwiches. We have to make sure we get food in us so we can recover.
