9781422284988

“So you know more than players in the NFL know about eating, do you?” answered Buck, who was indeed not a star athlete, but who knew a lot more about fitness and science than his friend. “Well, I don’t know what they know, but I know what I like,” Gordo retorted. “You look up to them when they play and you copy their moves on the field,” Buck contin- ued. “You should copy what a lot of them do off the field, too. I just read a long article about how NFL players, and in fact players in most pro sports, are paying a lot more attention to what they eat these days.” “C’mon,”Gordo answered, eyeing the tray of food that had just landed in front of him. “You’re telling me that a big offensive lineman wouldn’t just love to dive into this pile of greasy delight?” “Of course he would,” said Buck. “But that’s the point. To make the right choices in nutri- tion, whether you’re a pro athlete, a high school player like you, or even someone who is not an athlete—” “Like you, skinny!” Gordo interrupted. “Yes, like me, loudmouth,” Buck said. “But it’s still true.The guys in the NFL don’t wolf down greasy, fatty meals anymore. They focus on choosing lean protein instead of fatty stuff. They pile on the greens and the fruits. When they eat bread, they try to choose whole grain styles. All that adds up to players being able to stay stronger for longer.” Buck stopped off and picked up a salad with grilled chicken at the next stand. “How can you eat that?” Gordo said, shaking his head. “I think it actually tastes pretty good,” Buck said. “And it makes me feel better to make a choice that will help me stay strong.” They returned to the table and started to eat. Through a mouthful of food, Gordo mumbled, “How do those guys in the NFL know what to eat? Is that something they learn in training camp?” “Actually, they have prob-

lean in terms of meat, describing cuts that are low in fat, either because of the animal or the amount of fat in the cut nutritionist a medical professional who focuses on providing information to patients on the right foods for them to eat, based on their needs Words to Understand

ably been learning about it for years. At the top levels of college athletics, coaches and schools are paying more and more attention to the science of nutrition. When players go to the athletic dining hall to eat their meals, they might have cards spelling out a good meal

9