MILO Nutrition and Sports Lifestyle clinic in tandem with the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) sought to encourage swimmers to eat healthy, while outlining the disadvantages of a bad diet at a presentation at the National Stadium yesterday.

Latoya Wright, Nestle nutrition advisor, stressed the importance of proper nutrition.

“Nutrition is incredibly important, the school age swimmers require eating a normal of three meals and two to three snacks per day, while teens, particularly, require more energy and may need three to four snacks per day,” said Wright.

She went on to point out to the swimmers the advantages and disadvantages of a bad diet.

“Fat makes food taste good. As responsible athletes you need to choose healthier snacks, while high sugar foods lead to rapid increase in blood sugar levels, followed by a rapid decrease in blood sugar and less energy and can lead to tiredness. So as an athlete it is best to have a stable diet and eat a little from all the food groups, including your vegetables.”

Meanwhile, Ramon James, Jamaica’s national multi-record holder in swimming, gave a motivational speech to the swimmers about setting their goals and trying to achieve them.

“It is important that you have your goals for a season, either a short-term, mid-term or long-term goal, always have a goal in mind and aim to achieve it. Try not to set your goals too high where you cannot reach it… take it one step at a time and you will be surprised how much success you will have,” he said.

Milo, along with Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (Petrojam) are the official sponsors of Jamaica’s national team to the 29th staging of the Carifta Swimming Championships set to take place from April 22-26.

Jamaica’s 30-member delegation will leave the island en route to Aruba on April 19.