Picture this: it's the night before the BIG game, and you don't know what to eat. You're scouring your fridge, but nothing looks like it will fill you up and give you the energy you need for tomorrow's game. You then think about ordering a warm and delectable pepperoni pizza, but you don't know if the fatty food will weigh you down tomorrow. Well, this is your sign to ORDER THE PIZZA! It's one of the BEST pre-game meals you can eat.

Pizza has ALL of the food groups that you need to perform at your best (if you get the right pizza). There are carbs in the crust, protein from the meat, dairy in the cheese, and your veggie source is all in the sauce and extra toppings!

Playing in a game will burn up a ton of calories. Because of this, you need a calorically dense food option to fuel up the night before. Pizza is a yummy way to feed your body and mind so you can perform at your best! 

Related: Fueling Your Body for Performance

There are tons of ways to top your pizza to make it nutritious and filling. 

When you order your pizza, make sure you add tons of veggies, such as mushrooms, peppers, spinach, and olives. Harvard Health talks about these vegetables having tons of antioxidants that can help fight inflammation. Also, loading up on vegetables keeps your hunger at bay for longer. 

You can also add more protein options, such as pepperoni, sausage, anchovies, and chicken. Protein has amino acids that aid in muscle and bone repairs – this is vital if you are constantly using your body for your prospective sport. 

If you have food allergies, you can swap the crust for gluten-free crust and the cheese for vegan cheese. The best part about pizza is you can customize it to your liking! 

Related: The 6 Best Foods for Muscle Recovery

Pro-tip: Make sure you eat pizza the night before your big game! You want to give yourself ample time to digest this hearty meal. Doing so will let you wake up feeling energized and ready to win! 

What's your favorite pre- or post-game meal? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on March 16, 2022, by Matthew Reichen