I constantly wonder how I can eat better at a horse show.
My horse show fare used to look something like this:
Breakfast - Lamar's Donuts (it was kind of a tradition!)
Lunch - hotdog, chips, and pop from the concession stand
Dinner - wherever we went out to eat once the day was done...
Dehydration was a constant companion!
This did NOT support my performance!!
So, what do I do now? How can I eat better?
WATER!!
The first change I made was to fill a large water bottle, keep it near me at almost all times, and drink from it EVERY time I check my horse's water, head to warm up, or come out of a class.
If you have a groom, hand them your water bottle and give them explicit instruction: "Make sure I'm constantly drinking this water!"
I added HUMAN food planning to my show prep list. I mean, no one forgets hay and horse feed... But, I always ended up at the show grounds with nothing to nourish myself!
I started planning travel-friendly meals. For single-day shows, I'd make up a batch of breakfast burritos to share with the whole crew instead of buying donuts. They packed well in large, flat tupperware and retained heat long enough to get to the barn. I wraped them individually in papertowels to keep them from sticking together.
A power-breakfast was a great start for me!
I'd like to share my current meal-plan for eating away from home.
I am NOT a nutritionist (not yet, at least).
However, I strive for balanced nutrition and minimal processing. I know there are places I will fall short, and that's OK. I hope you get value from this meal plan!
THE MEALS
BREAKFAST:
Shakeology - with almond/coconut milk, ice, peanut butter, and spinach
SECOND BREAKFAST:
Banana
2 Hard-Boiled eggs
Cheddar cheese stick
Baby Carrots
LUNCH:
Veggie Wrap (with mixed greens, broccoli, and carrots)
or
Turkey Wrap (with mixed greens and cheese)
SNACK:
Diced Melon (or Strawberries, or Pineapple)
No-Bake Energy Bites
DINNER:
Grilled Chicken Salad
Shakeology - with almond/coconut milk, ice, peanut butter, and spinach
SECOND BREAKFAST:
Banana
2 Hard-Boiled eggs
Cheddar cheese stick
Baby Carrots
LUNCH:
Veggie Wrap (with mixed greens, broccoli, and carrots)
or
Turkey Wrap (with mixed greens and cheese)
SNACK:
Diced Melon (or Strawberries, or Pineapple)
No-Bake Energy Bites
DINNER:
Grilled Chicken Salad
In my next post, I'll share my personal touches on each of the recipes and how I make them work for me!
What do you eat when you're away from home?
Please share with me in the comments!
I usually eat Goldfish crackers and Pop-Tarts. Is that not normal?
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOL!
DeleteThat's probably normal, but I have to ask... How is that working for you?
Does it fuel your performance? ;)
I always eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast the morning of horse shows because I'm too tired and simultaneously amped up to force anything else down my throat. At shows, when not snacking on candy because no regrets, I always pack a big turkey sandwich, tons of fruit, and some variety of Nature's Valley granola bars.
ReplyDeleteI also learned the chug water and/or Gatorade at every chance trick long ago. Even if I'm too nervous to be eating, I'm still gulping down fluids!
I used to have the worst headache at the end of every horse show because I didn't drink enough fluids. Thank goodness I finally learned my lesson!!
DeleteNerves are hard to tackle. I totally understand not being able to eat much as a result! Fruit seems to be pretty travel-friendly, too!
Sandwiches are always an easy option, aren't they? Way better than that hotdog I used to eat, for sure!!
I am horrible about eating at shows too!
ReplyDeleteDo you want to change that? We can compare notes and ideas and see what actually works for us!
DeleteI could definitely be better at this... Good tips!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it! Feel free to share what *is* working for you! I know I can get even better, especially with the generosity of the interwebs!! ;)
DeleteIt's just so hard to pass up Lamar's, they're so dang good! Most of the shows I've gone to tend to have healthy options available, but I definitely need to planner better when they don't.
ReplyDeleteI guess I should add that I have a tendency to not eat at all if there are only greasy/heavy options available, which is probably even worse. I'll have to try to remember to pack some of the things you listed above :)
DeleteI would love to hear how it works for *YOU*! You'll have to send me a report! ;)
Deleteand now i'm hungry haha. but seriously tho, my show buddy ranks among the best home-packed lunch-makers i've ever met, and she gleefully concocts delicious sandwiches and snacks for all our outings. before her tho, yea i was just a show food junkie - whatever they had on site would work for me. ooh, also these days we have a wonderful smoothie truck that comes to local events - i love their cappuccino smoothie on a cold day!
ReplyDeleteOh, now that smoothie truck sounds like a super neat idea!!
DeleteI'll admit that after my last horse trial, I may have indulged in a celebratory glass of champagne... Thanks to planning, though, I was hydrated and filled with plenty of good food, first!
Hydration is key!!
ReplyDeleteYou can say that again!!!
Delete