Avocado-banana salad comprising boiled green banana pieces with assorted herbs, saltfish, the season's fresh ripe avocado and garnished with onion rings. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Outside of the Olympics, Boys and Girls' Champs is one of the most anticipated sporting events for most Jamaicans. This is when alumni come out of the woodwork and school loyalty really counts.

But like the athletes on the field giving their all, as spectators, we too need to be well fuelled. So, what are they to eat? Every year the National Stadium is jam packed and the sun is out in all its glory, so being properly hydrated is a must. Water is essential, but, of course, everyone needs a little sugar to maintain high energy from both athletes and spectators in the stands. Orange juice, box drinks and fruit punch are all appropriate thirst quenchers.

But, with all that drinking one tends to get famished. Luckily, there is usually food galore at the stadium. There are several concession stands with patties, fried chicken and chips, bun and cheese, banana chips, burgers, hot dogs, biscuits, and for those who simply cannot do without their rice and peas with chicken, box lunches, that's available also. Plus, there are several vendors on the outside selling a variety of food; so, if you want to stock up before you take your seat, then that's an option. And if you get 'peckish' (hungry) before or after you had your lunch then the peanut man will help you out.

Athletes' food

There could be no champs without the athletes, therefore, being fit to perform well is important and so is their diet.

Shodel Waites who works under the guidance of nutritionist Patricia Thompson says on the days of competition, athletes should eat at least two-three hours before competing. He also highlighted snacks high in carbohydrates as good sources of energy for competitors. "During competition, athletes should ensure that high-carbohydrate snacks such as ripe banana, a slice of bun, three-four crackers, a slice of bread, a bulla, a bowl of porridge, boiled dumplings, potato or yam, are eaten 45 minutes before events. For long races, it would be wise for athletes to carry high-carbohydrate snacks," highlighted Waites.

Waites said based on the athletes' preferences, meals can be selected from a number of foods that are considered high in carbohydrates. "Two sandwiches made from sardine or tuna with no fat (mayonnaise or butter), may be used as a meal or carbohydrate-dense foods such as boiled yam, dasheen, Irish potato, with proteins and vegetables".

Even though the performance of these competitors relies mostly on their training and abilities, maintaining a healthy diet is equally important. "Vitamins and minerals are obtained in greater amounts from fruits and vegetables. These supply antioxidants, which help the body to clear waste substance which athletes produce during exercising".

Waites said the ideal diet should be one consisting of foods from the six food groups. So, with the right training and balanced diet, athletes should be able to have the energy and stamina to keep up and stamp excellent performances on the track.