If you scroll through my past columns, you’re bound to read about the ways in which proper nutrition and hydration can fuel your body and reduce your risk of injury. Taking a preventative approach to injury and being proactive keeps hockey players on the ice, where they want and ought to be.
Unfortunately, injuries do occur. Nutrition can aid in healing and can decrease recovery time. In my experience, athletes typically take one of two positions when it comes to nutrition during their time off the field. They either go with the attitude of "I’m going to eat whatever I want since I can’t play anyway," or more often they take a more productive attitude of "I’m going to be extra diligent while I’m injured so I can recover, maintain my body composition and return to play as quickly as possible."
