What is the perfect pre-golf meal?

Deciding what to eat before an afternoon game of golf can be difficult. Eat too much, or the wrong foods and you could end up feeling bloated, putting you off your game and making you feel uncomfortable. Eat too little and you risk hurrying through your game to get your next meal, or not performing as well due to lack of energy. It is a tricky mix. Some foods are better than others for a pre-golf meal, so we have put together some suggestions so that when it comes to teeing off, you feel ready and energised for the game ahead. 

Don't stock up on empty calories

Don't stock up on high calorie foods, especially those with little nutritional value. Foods high in carbohydrates and fat but little else, such as bread and pasta, will leave you feeling full but probably won't sustain you for the entire game. Sugar high products are also provide empty calories and should be avoided. These include: cake, cookies, sweets and soft drinks.

Do eat wholewheat produce

Though carbs can give you some negative side effects, as listed below, they are absolutely essential, especially in preparation of playing a sport. The trick is to make sure you get the right sort of carbohydrates. Wholewheat bread, pasta and bagels don't have as much fat or fibre as their processed alternatives, yet also contain a moderate amount of protein which makes them a great pre-game lunch ingredient.

Don't stock up on sugar

Sugar provides a very short term source of energy, so filling up on chocolate bars or soft drinks before a game will most likely leave you feeling ready for anything at the start, but crashing hard mid game. Caffeine has a similar effect, so make sure you avoid drinking too much coffee or tea before your game, especially as it may also leave you dashing to the toilet between holes!

Do eat natural and organic foods

Nature is your friend when it comes to the best pre-game meals. Avoiding all the additives and preservatives found in most highly produced foods will leave you feeling much more energised, and healthy and raring to play golf.

Don’t drink alcohol

Despite the temptation to have a beer a glass of wine before a social game of golf, it can really put a dampener on your game. Alcohol is a sedative, which means that even the smallest amount can impair your coordination and leave you feeling bloated or sluggish. It may be incredibly tempting to enjoy a drink before you tee off, but these side effects should make you question whether it is worth it.

Do drink plenty of water

Plenty has been said about how good water is for you. It increases your energy, stops you feeling fatigued, promotes weight loss, flushes out toxins, boosts your immune system and hydrates you. It even puts you in a good mood! Few sports other than golf involve being outside for up to 5 hours at a time, often in the direct sunlight. Make sure you drink plenty of water before you set out and carry a few bottles to drink between holes as well.

Do eat a balanced meal

In truth, one of the best pieces of advice you can take when it comes to planning your pre-game meal is to try and tick as many of the boxes with a decent sized portion as you can. Having a mix of nutritional foods, containing proteins, natural sugars and carbohydrates in a reasonable portion is the best option. Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, chicken, water and wholegrain wheat products are some of the best choices around.

There are some really great recipes out there for perfect pre-game meals and snacks that will leave you feeling healthy and ready to play. Statistics have shown that eating a meal about 2-3 hours before playing a sport will really help your performance, so why not get creative and share your favourite nutritional meals in the comments below.