by Noah Hart (Posted on November 2, 2026 @

At Alamo Heights Junior School, the 8th grade football team is only given meals before their away games. They do not get meals before home games since some say you need more energy for away games where pressure might be higher. There are two strong sides to this practice, and the debate over it is still ongoing between researchers, coaches, and the players.

On the one hand, research indicates that having a pre-game meal should improve and assist players’ performance on the field; on the other hand, some of the players themselves state that eating before a game makes no difference in how they play. The fact that evidence clashes with personal experience leads to an interesting discussion regarding the value of pre-game nutrition for young athletes.

A 2015 study by researchers Williams and Rollo, published in Sports Medicine, states that “Carbohydrate intake during exercise, typically taken in the form of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions, is also associated with improved performance.” This mostly matches what the players eat before games. The burger supplies carbohydrates and protein, the Gatorade provides electrolytes and quick energy, and the chips contribute extra carbohydrates.

From a nutritional point of view, this meal includes many of the components that research suggests should help enhance athletic performance. The combination of solid food and liquid nutrition offers a well-rounded way of fueling young athletes.

Yet, even though the evidence shows that the food helps with performance, the blue team’s quarterback, Floyd Gray, has a different view. He says, “No, I don’t think what you eat before games has any effect on how you play.” This shows that even with all the studies and scientific research available, the players still believe that the food doesn’t make any difference and that it’s just something to eat.

The gap between scientific findings and player perception raises doubts about whether the benefits of pre-game nutrition are actually felt by young athletes in real game situations.

The Alamo Heights football team eats about one hour to 45 minutes before their away games, a time that may not be long enough to properly digest their food. According to a 2006 study by researchers Williams and Serratosa, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, “The recommendation from the available evidence is that players should eat a high-carbohydrate meal about 3 hours before the match.”

A three-hour window enables the body to digest the food properly and turn it into usable energy by the time the game starts. When food is eaten too close to physical activity, the body has to split its resources between digestion and athletic performance.

The team’s schedule makes it hard to eat three hours before away games. The school timetable, the time it takes to travel to away games, and the need to organize meals for the whole team all make it difficult to follow the ideal three-hour schedule. The coaches give them as much time as they are able to. Many schools have similar difficulties when trying to balance academic schedules with athletic requirements.

A 1997 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition by researchers Hawley and Burke states that “Frequent eating occasions provide a practical strategy allowing athletes to increase energy.” The research shows that eating frequently during the day allows energy to enter the body all day, which better prepares athletes for games when they arrive.

Rather than depending on one pre-game meal, players could benefit from eating smaller, balanced meals and snacks regularly throughout the day. This method would make sure that their bodies have a continuous supply of fuel right up to kickoff. The idea of eating frequently throughout the day might provide a solution to the timing problem the team is currently facing.

While some AHJS football players may not notice a difference after eating before games, sports nutrition research suggests that both meal timing and food choices can influence athletic performance. The team’s current routine raises questions about how schools can balance nutrition recommendations with busy athletic schedules.