Meal Plan for Hockey – Match Day


On a competitive level hockey training will typically be during the week, with a match at the weekend. The plan below assumes you're already having optimal nutrition for training during the week, see Hockey (Field) – Training Day, and so is designed to provide adequate fuel for a match.

Of course, it's imperative to have optimal nutrition on match day itself, but we also recommend that you have a higher than normal carbohydrate intake at all meals, after training on the day prior to the match. The plan below provides sufficient levels of all nutrients and sustained slow released low glycaemic carbohydrates to ensure optimal energy throughout a hockey match. It also encourages good nutrition after the game, to ensure you're refuelled for training the next week.

The meal plan below is an example for a typical match day:

Breakfast 7.30am
Large bowl of porridge + skimmed milk + dried fruit or bowl unsweetened muesli + 250ml skimmed milk
250ml fresh fruit juice
Tea/coffee
10.00am
4-5 oatcakes or rye crispbread with low fat soft cheese
Banana
Drink
Early lunch 12.00pm
Large chicken breast or portion white fish
70g (dry weight) basmati rice or wholewheat pasta
Medium serving of vegetables / salad
Drink water
15 minutes before match
1-2 oatcakes
100ml isotonic drink with 20g additional dextrose
Half time
1 oatcake
100ml isotonic drink with 20g additional dextrose
Sip water
Immediately post match
25g whey protein powder + 25g dextrose in water
45 minutes later
Lean fillet steak or chicken breast or fish + herbs to taste
Main Meal
Boiled new potatoes or basmati rice or dry roasted sweet potatoes
Loads of vegetables
Low fat, no added sugar yoghurt
Drink
Evening snack
2-3 oatcakes with low fat soft cheese
100g mixed nuts & seeds
Item of fruit
Drink
1 hour pre-bed
Bowl unsweetened muesli + 250ml skimmed milk
Drink

The plan is a general guide, and portion sizes will need to be adapted to suit your daily routine and the match time. You must eat a variety of different meats/fish, complex carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables every day, and drink plenty of water.

Plans for people with illness or medical conditions in no way should override advice provided specifically for you by your doctor, clinical dietitian or other clinician. We advise that you seek the advice of a suitably qualified physician before commencing any exercise regime, following any dietary or nutritional regimen or beginning the use of any dietary supplements, legal or otherwise. The information provided on the Website is intended as information only and does not constitute advice. Therefore, it must not be relied on to assist in making or refraining from making a decision, or to assist in deciding on a course of action.