I am following the article regarding SARU’s request for headmasters to monitor steriod use and abuse (http://blog.schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=5678). There is also a lot being said about supplements but with everything said, the boys are still using these products.
My mind has to ask though – why do the boys do it? Steroids are expensive, etc, etc. And what are the schools doing to facilitate healthy eating at school?
With my son now being part of the 1st team squad, I took him to see a sports dietician specialist for a full assessment. When I now look at his eating plan, I am challenged in terms of how to manage the food at school. One of the 7 different types of food that he must take is 5 portions of fruit – each fruit the size of a tennis ball. Most schools have a stipulated bag for lunch – it couldn’t hold a 6 pack (let alone 5 tennis balls) – which seems rather small for high school boys. On a daily basis, my son needs to take a fair amount of food to school in order to meet the energy requirements for sport and academics. This results in food stuffs being stored in the sports bag or book bag. So it almost seems like the choice is gross food (stored with the gym socks) or supplements which means a few small containers of powder and a shaker.
So what are the alternatives? A bigger bag, better food at the tuck shop, …
This is not just at my son’s school, it is at most of the schools who are strict about the uniform and bag policy.
Use it, don’t use it! It may just answer the question as to why to boys take these things when research has shown that real food is much more effective.
@McCulleys Workshop: If you were a supporter of any rugby you would know that those blue pills was withdrawn from the market. Even the bull lost its horns and signs of teats are showing. The colour of blue has definitely lost it’s reputation. So not much to talk about.
@Gungets Tuft:
@Tjoppa: What’s happening in the pensioners village, you’ve been quiet, those blue pills keeping you busy?
@beet: Hahha, no man, you can buy a coke, or some biscuits, but sausage rolls and vectricle smashing pies are not available. And it is a 450 pupils girls school, so the target market is slightly different.
But I have it on good opinion that you are a strict vegan, even the apples you eat need to have shown signs of depression and suicide …
8)
Schools that are serious about A-team sports should really invest in a set daily menu that caters for their sportsmens needs. They should also possibly consider between classes pit-stops for the kids who need to eat several times a day. Otherwise supplement shakes (I’m not sure these are bad for growing kids???) and less desirable products are going to be the order of the day.
But I must admit I would personally hate to make use of that health food tuckshop at GT’s daughters old school. It must serious let down to unsuspecting visitors. Imagine trying to order anything with a lot of fizz and sugar but getting told sorry just cranberry juice, flavoured water and green tea available today!
@burra: Not sure I agree. We all know that, of the 1200 kids at the major tier 1 government schools only about 400 are sportsmen at all, probably only 100 or those serious enough to take an interest in their diet, and them probably only 1/3 of those are in need of nutition at school for lunch. So the tuck shop needs to stock something other that Cholesterol Surprise for perhaps 50 kids. The chances are these 50 kids never ate at the tuck shop anyway, so theuy are expanding their base, not losing money.
My daughters (ex) school took a step about 4 years ago to stop serving unhealthy food. They have turned to salads, healthy whole wheat tuna and salad rolls, fruit etc. There was some initial resistence, then business as usual. It is easily doable, just takes resolve and effort, healthy food needs more imagination.
@Grasshopper: @burra: Many do have healthier options, however, then there is a cost factor involved.
I seriously think we need a Jamie Oliver type here – good nutrition helps sort out so many issues in teenagers.
@burra: we need Jamie Oliver to sort them out as he has just sorted out McD’s and Taco Bell!
@Grasshopper: Some of the tuckshops will not agree because their business will not run/make the same profit as before.
@CyndiAtRugby: Get the tuck shop to stock decent food like fruit, nuts, biltong etc instead of pies, chelsea buns, sausage rolls etc.
@Grasshopper: It IS up to the parents to supply the best lunch possible for their children, however, this can be rather difficult as all of those ‘simple proteins’ you listed could become a toxic mess if not stored properly – not sure I want to eat a tuna sandwich after it has been in a lunch box during the KZN summer. I’m sure I am not the only one who remembers the smell of an egg sarmie at lunch time at school.
So what are the options for those who want to eat healthily?
@Grasshopper: Agreed, couldn’t have said it any better@Tjoppa:
Had an interesting meeting with one of the popular brands currently available and I quote ” Our brand is so strong currently that if I bottle piss it will be a best seller, not that we would actually do that “.
@Tjoppa: And the Bok coach has interests in USN – PERIOD
Normal food is perfectly adequate, it’s about the types of food to build muscle. Simple proteins like chicken breast, tuna, mackerel, salmon etc is far better than a powder of egg extract. Creatine etc causes water retention so the boys gain weight but get a bloated look. Grains and fruit are great too. Carbs are required to get them to feel full, so brown breads, pasta and rice. USN and others are laughing to the bank. At gov schools there is no school meal so it’s up to parents to ensure their boys get the best lunch possible…
I have sons and Michaelhouse got strict about supplements. They stated that you were not allowed to have any powders or pills of any nature so all the USN stuff was confiscated on sight. That case is maybe slightly different because every single meal that the boy had during the day was supplied by the school and included a large supply of fruit that could be taken out of the dinning hall and consumed later. Some boys complained about still not having enough and protein to fuel their themselves so the school made a concession by stating they could bring USN stuff if they can provide a letter from a dietician or medical practioner. The school is convinced that those product are a waste on money that normal food does the job and you know what’s in food rather than a tin from a profit seeking company. To throw a spanner in the works. The convinience of throwing a spoon of powder into water in a shaker and drinking immediately is appealing to young chaps.