The coronavirus lockdown has necessitated several changes to the way we live our lives, and this includes how and what we eat.
In the next instalment of the Keeping up with the Pack series, Treated.com spoke to Toronto Wolfpack players and staff about how theyre managing their diets during lockdown, and what theyre doing to ensure they eat healthily.
Should we change how we eat during lockdown?
When you consider that you wont be burning as much energy as you normally would because youre not able to leave the house as much its probably a good idea to keep on top of how many calories youre eating.
When youre staying at home, its certainly advisable to not eat more than you would usually, because thats more likely to narrow or negate your calorie deficit, and can lead to weight gain.
So for many of us who cant train as much as we normally do, or arent walking to work, this might necessitate changing our diets; whether its lighter foods or smaller portions.
Treated asked the Toronto players how their diets had changed in recent weeks.
Gaz OBrien
Im one of the lucky ones! Ive just got to try and continue to put on weight really. So as far as a diet goes its probably a good thing because Im not training as much.
At the weekends weve been set that weve got to cover the distance we usually would in a game, on a road-run. So maybe before that Ill have a big carb meal. But as I say, Im one of the lucky ones, because I dont have to be too strict with my diet. I can look at a bowl of pasta and not really put any weight on.
I know whats bad and whats good. As far as keeping count of calories, I dont really have to worry too much about that. Its probably more the bigger boys thatve got to do that kind of stuff.
Bodene Thompson
Im just sticking to the same diet Ive been on all year. But you know in saying that, youve got to be a bit wary about what youre eating. I just try intermittent fasting. Some days or at least once a week I try and fast for 24 hours.
Say if I have a big dinner the night before, I just say the next day Im going to intermittent fast until dinner again. So I try and do that once a week, if not every week then at least once every 14 days. It just helps to make sure the body is reset and using everything. Every day I usually fast until lunch time.
And I drink water. Just try and drink as much water as I can get in, which is normally probably two to three litres a day. Your body feels good after it, and with all the science these days you know, its got a lot of good studies behind it.
Gadwin Springer
I try to have less carbs. I still eat some vegetables high in protein, because I still train, I still go and run, and do some exercise. So I still try and keep my protein high. So I just stay low on my carbs.
Tony Gigot
I try and focus my body weight on 93 (kilos). Thats where I like to be. I dont follow a very hard diet, but I eat well. I can see some players who go very hard, never eating any sugar. But that makes me happy, not every day, but on the weekend I like to have a Coca-Cola or if I can have a McDonalds once a week then I will. I am careful.
When I see my body weight goes up too much I try to go back to white chicken with salad and soup. You know, no sugar, a lot of water. Thats what I do when Im too heavy.
Hakim Miloudi
For dinner I try to eat a salad with meat. During lunchtime, sometimes pasta, if not I try to eat vegetables with meat or chicken. For me, if I dont want to put too much weight on, I just eat a lot of vegetables. So I can stay fit with that.
As Hakim illustrates, staying indoors can present challenges. Boredom might cause us to turn to less healthy snacks. So its important to keep moderation in mind.
Hakim Miloudi
If its a really long day, and you have nothing to do and youre watching TV, and you wanna eat some chocolate my bad thing is Nutella.
Tony Gigot
Hes big on Nutella, Hakim loves Nutella on pancakes.
Hakim Miloudi
Thats my really bad thing, because I can eat Nutella with everything.
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Keeping up with the Pack: How Toronto players are keeping on top of their nutrition in lockdown - Love Rugby League
