Alpine skiing day:how to recharge your batteries during a pandemic

Written by Isabelle Huot, Doctor in Nutrition

 

Despite the restrictions that disrupt our leisure time during the holiday season, outdoor activities are still good options for enjoying family time. Alpine skiing enthusiasts will have to review their habits in order to adapt to the new health measures in place. Professional tips for eating well during the ski day. 

Ski as pandemic

Several ski resorts remain open and welcome lovers of this sliding sport while respecting the health plan established by the Association des stations de ski du Québec ASSQ. And among the preventive measures, in the red zone, there is the closure of cafeterias and food courts in order to limit internal contact and traffic. The chalets and shelters remain open only to warm up, and for a limited time. Alpine skiing enthusiasts should review their habits and take care to learn about the measures in place at the chosen resort, since they may differ depending on the center.tres. 

Measures adopted in ski resorts

Not all ski resorts in the red zone will be able to welcome skiers inside to eat, but only to warm up for about fifteen minutes. Customers will have the option of eating either outside or in their car. Some stations have been creative in offering food services while adhering to public health guidelines. For example, the ski resorts of Val Saint-Côme and Mont Saint-Sauveur have installed des foodtrucks in order to serve customers hot and cold meals outside. Mont Saint-Sauveur also has heated marquees and an outdoor BBQ! The Mont Orford ski resort has installed an outdoor food counter as well as fireplaces to help customers warm up. The stations in the orange zone will keep the restaurant areas open to the public. 

Plan

If you plan to spend the day skiing, it is better to provide several foods to feed the whole family. Nothing beats planning to make sure you have enough food, because the cold and exercise can increase your appetite! Before leaving for the resort, make sure you have a good sustaining lunch to start the day well and have good reserves to start. Whole grain roasted 100 whole grains or oatmeal for example, fruit and a good source of protein egg, dairy products, cheese, tofu will make up a balanced breakfast. Some skiers will prefer to have a big breakfast and only bring snacks instead of eating a lunch. This is an interesting option in this health context! sanitaire !
Lunch & amp; snacks to bring

The closure of cafeterias and restaurants in the red zone can be viewed positively! We will have the opportunity to prepare meals and homemade snacks while saving money knowing that a day of skiing can be expensive for a whole family! As a bonus, what is homemade is often much better for your health.  

A FEW TIPS FOR TAKING UP YOUR ENERGY 

  1. Prepare sandwiches made from whole grains with enough protein to sustain longer. Two eggs or at least 60 g of meat, poultry, fish will provide sufficient protein. To prevent the lunch from freezing in the car, it is best to put it in a large insulating bag.. 
  2. For skiers who want a hot meal, the thermos filled with a lentil soup meal, minestrone for example, or a stewed dish of chickpeas, chicken cacciatore, etc. is always a good option. Make sure to reheat the thermos for 10 minutes with boiling water before putting the food in it and heat your meal well before putting it in the thermos. Our in-house tests confirm that the lunch will stay hot for 3-4 hours.heures.  
  3. Snacks are practical and allow you to overcome the lack of energy. Among the snacks that slip into the ski jacket: tender bars (opt for those that contain less than 8g of sugar and 4g of fiber or more, dried fruit bars, individually wrapped cheese, small sachets of grilled chickpeas, fig biscuits, energy balls made from dates.. 
  4. Remember to hydrate yourself well even if thirst is less present than during summer sports. Water fountains may be difficult to access, plan to bring water in reusable bottles. Remember to drink especially in the morning, as the water may freeze in your car after a few hours. You can also carry around a small size of 200 ml of juice diluted with Oasis Hydrafruit water. On your return, remember to warm up and hydrate yourself with a hot drink of hot cinnamon milk,cannelle, tisane or onegood hot chocolate) and refuel with a mainly carbohydrate supper like pasta topped with tomato sauce or a risotto. Have a great day skiing!

PRACTICAL AND HEALTH PRODUCTS TO DISCOVER

  • Energy ballse Fit-Fit are made with quality ingredients, no added sugar and no additives. Their ultra-simple ingredient lists reveal the presence of date or fig puree and hazelnut, walnut or coconut. They provide 2 g of fiber per ball. Energy discs are also super practical, as they slip perfectly into the ski jacket. To discover them:rir : fitfitfit.fit  
Group of happy friends having fun. Young people with face mask during COVID-19 coronavirus on a snowy mountain at a ski resort
  • Soft and protein bars SnackTonik come in six varieties. They are made with oatmeal or soy flakes and other high quality ingredients. We love this company founded by the Joubert sisters in Quebec City. The dark chocolate and coconut protein bar provides 7 g of protein and 3 g of fiber. We like the variety on offer, including the tender raspberry bar. The bars are peanut free, dairy free, and vegan.s. www.snackdepot.ca   

COURTESY PHOTOS
  • Yoyos with fruits and vegetables fromde Bear can be found in the organic section of grocery stores. No added sugar and no preservatives, they contain 2 g of fiber and 8 g of sugars per 20 g sachet. Children love them! They certainly represent an alternative to fruit rolls made up mainly of sugar, colorings and palm oil.
Group of happy friends having fun. Young people with face mask during COVID-19 coronavirus on a snowy mountain at a ski resort
COURTESY PHOTO

► Thanks to Fatima-Zahra Mesnaoui, nutrition intern, for her invaluable collaboration