What can happen if

athletes don’t follow

recommendations given:

Athletes need extra fuel, so it's usually a bad

idea to diet. Athletes in sports where there's a

focus on weight might feel pressure to lose

weight. But cutting back on calories can lead

to growth problems and a higher risk of

fractures and other injuries. Athletes who burn

more calories than they take in can develop a

condition called RED-S. RED-S stands for

relative energy deficiency in sports and is

caused by burning more calories through

exercise than you consume through food.

For kids, they don’t need to be drinking a

bunch of sports drinks, because their bodies

don’t need it. If you’re worried about hydration,

keep their water filled up and look into

different electrolytes for kids. Kids do not

need as much sodium as adults, and the

majority of Americans consume more than

enough of their sodium daily value.

If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional tailgate food, here are some healthier tailgate

favorites:

● Fruit salads, chickpea salads, veggie trays, and pasta salads with diced veggies make

great side dishes

● If you are looking to change up your hot dogs and hamburgers, grilled chicken

sandwiches are always a win, or grilled chicken wings

● A great vegetable idea is grilled veggie kabobs

● This viral Grillos pickle dip is quick to make and can be put back into its original

packaging to make for easy transport

● Baked zucchini fries are another popular dish that is actually really good. You can bake

them or air-fry them to crisp them up

● Cucumber hummus “boats” are a fun spin on a veggie dish

● Crispy roasted chickpeas can be seasoned however you like and have the perfect

crunch

Obviously, food is an important part of the tailgate, but practicing food safety to ensure no

one gets sick is number 1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

about 48 million people a year (one in six Americans) get sick from foodborne illness each

year.

Here are the 5 biggest tips to keep your tailgate from spreading foodborne illness:

-Some foods are almost always safe: Dry foods or those high in sugar, breads, rolls, cakes

(without cream filling), fresh fruits and vegetables, cookies and crackers fall into this

category.

-Some foods need extra attention: Common foods in this group are some things you might

expect, such as meat, eggs, poultry, fish and shellfish; milk & milk products; slaw; & pasta or

potato salad. But there are some that might be a surprise: sliced melons, sliced tomatoes,

potatoes, rice, and tofu.

-Keep it clean: Bring waterless hand sanitizer to keep hands clean and pack clean, disposable

cloths or moist towelettes and paper towels for cleaning surfaces.

-Separate the raw from the cooked: Marinate meat in the refrigerator prior to traveling and

keep it chilled in a cooler before you grill. When transporting raw meat, tightly seal the meat

in a plastic wrap or zip bags to prevent juices from contaminating other food items in your

cooler; and when taking food off the grill, put it on a clean platter (not back on the same one

it was on when raw).

-Cook to proper temperatures: Cook raw ground beef, pork, and lamb to 160 degrees F. and

all poultry to 165 degrees F. Keep hot foods above 140 degrees F.

Soup- can everyone learn to love

it?