THE ROAD TO STAYING HEALTHY STARTS WITH GOOD NUTRITION

As a recent college graduate, I admit I am definitely not the best cook. One thing I do know, however, is how to cook chicken. All you have to do is make sure it is not pink; it is really that simple. New York Mets Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was mysteriously missing from team workouts on Wednesday; not because of an injury, but because he gave himself food poisoning from undercooked chicken. “He cooked some chicken and didn’t know how to cook, so he was throwing up all night,” Mickey Callaway said. “We have to teach him how to cook so he doesn’t miss any more games,” reported the NY Post.

Source: NY Times

The Yankees’ nutritionist, Cynthia Sass, is starting her fifth season as the team's sports nutrition consultant. According to Sass, “It’s important to have a dietitian as a resource for players and staff to support the goals of preventing injuries, optimizing performance, promoting recovery, and enhancing overall wellness,” reported Luvofoods. She has been exposing players to better eating habits and better choices of food at the ball park.  Sure, they can get a burger if they want to, but overall, having healthier choices allows guys to focus on foods that make them feel good.  "Sports nutrition involves recommending the right quality, balance, and timing of foods in ways that are very strategic," says Sass.

Source: Sports Illustrated

At the beginning of last season, the Mets hired a dietitian, Maureen Stoecklein, who was "expected to spend more time around the players," reported the NY Times.  Guess she missed hanging with Nimmo this week. The medical staff has been tracking players sleep habits, hydration, soreness, and their mood. "The Mets are trying to fix the faults of the past. Although many factors play into it, the Mets rank among the worst in the league in the number of games missed because of injury, according to ManGamesLost.com," reported the Times.

Source: The Bergen Record

The road to staying healthy starts with good nutrition and if teams want to have a consistently healthy team on the field, investing in the right behaviors, which include good food, proper meal preparation and education are essential.  Spring training isn't just about workouts and skills refinement.  It is about developing the whole player and that includes healthy eating.  Now, if the Mets can just keep Nimmo out of the kitchen and make sure he doesn't practice cooking on the Yankees players, we can prevent one more injury in New York in 2019.

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke