Fueling for Finish Slides Athlete Fuel Lab
Nutrition for Performance & Recovery
The Mission
Fueling
Identify the best carbohydrate sources for pre-workout energy using food labels.
Recovery
Select high-quality protein and repair-focused nutrients for post-game recovery.
"Food is not just calories. It's information for your cells."
Pre-Workout: Fuel
Focus: Carbohydrates
3-4 Hours: Complex carbs (Oats, Rice, Bread)
30-60 Mins: Simple carbs (Fruit, Toast)
Limit: Fiber and fat right before activity.
Label Detective
Total Carb
Look for low fiber (< 3g) and low fat (< 5g) in the final hour.
Post-Workout: Rebuild
The Recovery Ratio
3-4
Carbs
:
1
Protein
The "Golden Window"
Eat within 30-45 minutes to kickstart recovery.
Elite Recovery Snacks:
Chocolate Milk (Perfect Ratio!)
Greek Yogurt & Fruit
Turkey Sandwich
The Daily Burn
Athletes need 2,500 – 3,500+ calories per day to perform.
Training Day
HIGH CARB
Rest Day
HIGH PROTEIN
Note: Labels use a 2,000 calorie base—athletes need more!
Energy Balance
Under-fueling leads to injury and fatigue.
Label Scouting
Facts
Calories 250
Total Fat 12g
Total Carb 31g
Protein 5g
01
Check Serving Size
02
Goal: Fuel or Repair?
03
Find the Main Macro
Time to Scout
Grab your worksheet and start analyzing real labels.
Fuel Up!
Label Logic Worksheet Label Logic Worksheet
Athlete Performance Lab // Unit 04
Athlete:
Date:
Mission 01: Pre-Workout Power
Snack A: Fiber-Fit Bar
Serving Size: 1 Bar (45g)
Calories 190
Total Fat 7g 9% DV
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10% DV
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 5g
Scenario: Athlete eats this 45 mins before a game. They need fast energy without a heavy stomach.
1. Analyze Snack A's Fiber and Fat. Is this a good pre-game fuel? Why?
2. If an athlete eats 2 bars, how many total carbs are they consuming?
______ g
Mission 02: Recovery Ratio
The Recovery Target:
3-4g Carbs per 1g Protein
Replenishes glycogen while initiating muscle repair.
Snack B: Greek Yogurt
Serving: 1 Container (150g)
Calories 120
Total Fat 0g
Total Carbohydrate 15g
Protein 15g
Post-Game Analysis:
1. Calculate the Ratio for Snack B (Carb : Protein):
:
2. To reach a 3:1 ratio (45g carbs), what food would you ADD to this snack?
Mission 03: The Daily Burn
Level 1: Moderate
12-14 kcal / lb
Maintenance activity.
Level 2: Athlete
18-22 kcal / lb
In-season training.
Scenario
Jordan: 160 lbs, Mid-Season Soccer (Daily 2-hour practice).
160 lbs
×
20 kcal
=
A sports drink has 140 calories. What % of Jordan's 3,200 daily total is this bottle?
________ %
Athlete Scout Summary
How does this change your snack choice before practice tomorrow?
Nutrition Scout Teacher Guide Nutrition Scout Guide
Athlete Performance Lab // Teacher Resource
Lesson ID: AFL-T01
The Mission
Student-athletes often over-rely on protein and under-utilize carbohydrates. This lesson is designed to help them see "Fuel" as a tool for their specific athletic goals. By the end, students will look at a food label and immediately ask: "Is this for fuel or for repair?"
Key Performance Targets:
Identify low-fiber pre-workout fuels
Calculate the 3:1 Recovery Ratio
Estimate daily caloric needs
Interpret labels beyond % Daily Value
Discussion Starters
The "Fiber Trap"
"Why would a healthy food like an apple or high-fiber bar actually hurt your performance if eaten 15 minutes before a sprint?"
The Recovery Myth
"Is it better to have a protein-only shake or a chicken sandwich with bread after a practice?"
Label Logic: Answer Key
01: Pre-Workout Power
Q1: Analyze Snack A.
Answer: It is NOT an ideal snack immediately before a game (45 mins). While it has good carbs (28g), the high fiber (8g) and moderate fat (7g) will slow down digestion, potentially causing bloating or "heavy" stomach during high-intensity activity. Better to choose a simple carb snack like a banana or white toast.
Q2: Two Bars calculation.
Answer: 56g Total Carbohydrates.
02: Recovery Ratio
Q1: Calculate Ratio.
Answer: 15g : 15g is a 1:1 Ratio .
Q2: What to add?
Answer: The athlete needs 30g more carbs to reach 45g (3:1). Good additions: 1 cup of berries, 1 medium banana, or 1/4 cup of granola.
03: The Daily Burn
Q1: Jordan's Calories.
Jordan needs: 160 lbs × 20 kcal = 3,200 calories / day.
Q2: Percentage Calculation.
140 ÷ 3,200 = 0.04375, which is roughly 4.4% .
The "Real World" Scout
Extension Activity: Take students to the school's vending machine. Give them 5 minutes to find the "best" recovery snack and the "best" pre-practice fuel. Have them justify their choices based on the macros they just learned.
Teacher Note: