Healthy Eating Tips for Busy Sports Moms: How I Stay On Track at Weekend Races
Being a weekend sports mom is no joke. This past weekend, I spent 12 hours traveling and the remainder at my son’s cyclocross race, making sure he was ready to give his best. From prepping his gear to keeping him fueled and hydrated, my mind was completely focused on one thing – him. His races demand endurance, strength, and recovery, which means I’m always thinking about what he needs before, during, and after the race to perform his best.
Sound familiar? If your weekends are packed with sports tournaments and practices, you know how easy it is to pour all your energy into your kids. You’re making sure they’re hydrated, fueled up, and ready to go. But somewhere in the middle of all that, we moms tend to forget something critical – ourselves.
I used to be that mom who would pack everything for my son – snacks, water, post-race recovery meals – but by the end of the day, I’d realize I hadn’t eaten a single decent meal. The focus was so heavily on making sure he was good to go that I neglected to fuel my own body. And that left me feeling drained, sluggish, and completely off track.
It’s hard, right? You want to be there for your kids, but when you spend an entire weekend away, focusing on them, it’s easy to slip into bad habits – grabbing quick junk food, skipping meals, or just relying on coffee to keep you going. I’ve been there so many times, and it took a toll on my health and energy.
But here’s what I’ve learned: as much as our kids need the right fuel to perform at their best, we need it too. Whether you’re running between soccer fields or sitting at a race track for hours, your body still needs proper nutrition to keep you going. That’s why I now plan ahead – not just for my son, but for myself.
Here’s how I kept myself on track this past weekend:
Pre-make meals – I made sure to pack lean protein, veggies, and quick snacks for me, not just for him. I knew the concession stand wasn’t going to cut it for me.
Macro-based choices – I stick to my macros: protein, fiber, fats, and carbs. This helps me stay balanced and full, even on busy days when I’m mostly focused on my kid.
Mindful hydration – I always make sure my son is hydrated before his race, but this time I made sure I was hydrating throughout the day too. Staying on top of this keeps both of us fueled and ready.
It’s not about being perfect, but it is about fueling your body so you can show up – for them, and for yourself. If we’re not taking care of ourselves, how can we expect to have the energy and focus to give our best to our families?
If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or constantly putting your needs on the back burner, I want you to know it doesn’t have to be that way. My new client round starts Monday, 9/30, and if you're ready to start fueling your body just as well as you do for your kids, this program can help you. It’s time to make yourself a priority, even on the busiest days.
