WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS

... on the Proper Diet and Family Support

Wrestling is truly a family affair. And one of the unique concerns of many wrestling parents is their son's control of weight. But, what is a proper diet?

Each year I give my matmen information on the correct foods to eat. The form consists of a "conditioning diet" and "reduction diet." The conditioning diet should be utilized by all grapplers at the beginning of the year, while those boys with a weight problem may need to switch to the reduction diet as the season progresses. Below are examples of both programs:

CONDITIONING DIET

• Breakfast
  • 1 slice of toast
  • 1 square of butter
  • 1/2 grapefruit or 1 orange
  • 1 egg
  • 1 glass of milk or tea
• Lunch
  • Soup (not creamed)
  • 1 slice of toast
  • 1 square of butter
  • 1 large green salad
  • 1 cooked vegetable
  • 1 glass of milk
  • 1 cup of fruit cocktail
• Dinner
  • 1 slice of toast
  • 1 square of butter, cottage cheese or swiss cheese
  • Medium steak, chicken, or fish serving
  • Large green salad
  • Large serving of cooked vegetable
  • 1 glass of milk

• Breakfast
  • Fruit (1/2 grapefruit, 1 orange, or apple)
  • 1 slice of whole wheat toas4
  • 1 glass of skim milk or tea
• Lunch
  • Soup or milk
  • Toasted sandwich, roast beef or boiled ham
  • Fruit or vegetable
• Dinner
  • Meat (broiled steak, fish, or chicken)
  • Or, two poached eggs with whole wheat toast
  • Cottage cheese or 'ello salad
  • Fruit juice or tomato juice
  • Dish of sherbert
  • 1 glass of skim milk

Updated June 9, 1997