Is eating junk food before a game really that big of a deal?

[Pakistanian]

Do you guys think it's that big of a deal that Pakistani fans and the media are making it out to be, a lot of pro athletes eat junk food before a game, I think the only reason why they're making this out as an issue is because of Sarfaraz's physique - Malik & Younus Khan could get away in public with eating a burger but when people see somebody with a dadbod then it's different and then there's the fact that they lost to India. They may have had this pregame routine for many years and this may not have been the first they went out for fast food before a game.

Here's a video of NBA star Joel Embiid munching on a cheeseburger just 90 minutes before a game, people on social media thought he was cool and relatable rather than attacking him personally. Even former nba stars on the show such as Jalen Rose mention how Vince Carter would eat a steak just before a game and Chris Bosh (2x NBA champ) says guys can do that. So it really isn't that big of a deal, these pro athletes can easily burn off those carbs. Embiid has lost big games in the playoffs but his critics never mentioned his eating habit, I think plate watching is a very desi thing. Maybe because we're from such an impoverished and food insecure region.

 

[Jin Chacha]

Only a big deal when you lose. While a certain level of fitness is expected from all professional athletes, I doubt we would have won even if everyone in the team looked like an olympic gymnast. The difference was in the skill levels rather than the fat levels.

 

[Romali_rotti]

OP,

This is how I am reading your post:

You are comparing from a genetically superior African American athlete with a genetically inferior Pakistani with a slower metabolism ?

 

[dhump]

No having junk food once in a while is not harmful to your health as an athlete everyone recommends a cheat day and endurance sports athlete bag some right amount of carbs before longer events (although good clean carbs).

Having junk food before such matches can inevitably result in stomach bug or some upset that can result in catastrophic effects, so this is highly immature for any athlete to do so.

For long term results, it is essential that an athlete take good care of his or her diet as your body is like almost like a machine and taking good care of it and providing all needed nutrients can result in an optimal performance which is required in modern day sports.

 

[Mamoon]

Actually, having carb rich, high calorie food right before a game (say, 30 to 90 mins) is not harmful. In fact, it is quite common.

Having one at dinner the night before a game is a different story though.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think the OP is missing the point. It isn't one or two junk food meals which are responsible for poor performances, it is the junk mentality which it portrays that does the damage. Most of the Pakistan players see tours to England as a holiday jaunt where they can pig out every night. Sometimes even the bill will get picked up by establishments keen to host them for publicity. You can clearly see this junk mentality when they play. They don't want to dive in the field to stop boundaries, they will miss catches because they are dreaming about the biryani they will be scoffing after the game. If you ever watched a training session with the players you can see all of them are bored stiff and would rather be having a cup of tea and a ciggie.

 

[PetroDollars]

its normal having a carb rich meal before a game but it was the manner in which the players did it, they went on a night out smoking shisha, whereas they should have ordered there burgers to there hotels and be focused on the match.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Nothing wrong with junk provided its eaten at the right time and you have had enough time to digest it. I have a bigger issue with them doing sheesha and going late to bed.

 

[The Viper]

I think the OP is missing the point. It isn't one or two junk food meals which are responsible for poor performances, it is the junk mentality which it portrays that does the damage. Most of the Pakistan players see tours to England as a holiday jaunt where they can pig out every night. Sometimes even the bill will get picked up by establishments keen to host them for publicity. You can clearly see this junk mentality when they play. They don't want to dive in the field to stop boundaries, they will miss catches because they are dreaming about the biryani they will be scoffing after the game. If you ever watched a training session with the players you can see all of them are bored stiff and would rather be having a cup of tea and a ciggie.

I agree with this. Eating Junk food occasionally is fine but eating constantly is a no go

 

[IMMY69]

If the Pakistany players can play top level basketball for 90 minutes, have zero pct fat with a six pack then hell why not ��

 

[Pete Rose]

i dont know. I have yet to actual proof of players eating junk food before a game. I only seen it once. i think the team was leaving for New Zealand or in transit and scarfing down mcdonalds.

 

[KingKhanWC]

One off burger , pizza or kebab wont make a difference if you are a fit athlete, if not it will only make your fitness work as you body will not use those carbs and store them in the body.

The bigger issue is the team eat rice, chappatis and baltis on a regular basis, if not daily. This is not food athletes should eat and why they look out of shape.

Important to remember fitness is not related to how fat a person is. Sure a good body helps with fitness but some fat people are fitter than skinny people.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I agree with this. Eating Junk food occasionally is fine but eating constantly is a no go

My point was that it isn't the junk food itself that does the real harm, it is the mentality that they are carrying with it. I get the impression that having a nice holiday in the UK is what these guys live for, the cricket isn't taken as seriously as you might get with professional sportsmen.

These guys are a bit like where footballers used to be 20 years ago in Britain where they would go training, play a match then hit the pub to sink a few pints of lager. Except Pakistani cricketers don't do the training seriously either.

 

[Pakistanian]

OP,

This is how I am reading your post:

You are comparing from a genetically superior African American athlete with a genetically inferior Pakistani with a slower metabolism ?

Is there any research on that? pseudoscience and racism isn't acceptable in world sports anymore.

 

[Pakistanian]

No having junk food once in a while is not harmful to your health as an athlete everyone recommends a cheat day and endurance sports athlete bag some right amount of carbs before longer events (although good clean carbs).

Having junk food before such matches can inevitably result in stomach bug or some upset that can result in catastrophic effects, so this is highly immature for any athlete to do so.

For long term results, it is essential that an athlete take good care of his or her diet as your body is like almost like a machine and taking good care of it and providing all needed nutrients can result in an optimal performance which is required in modern day sports.

Bruh I used to eat at a dining hall on campus that catered mainly to student athletes and trust me the american football and basketball players would eat 2-3 double cheeseburgers and a few slices of pizza everyday much to the dismay of their nutritionist who encouraged them to add some greens to their plate in spite of that my college's team won their conference more than once so junk clearly isn't bad for athletes or at least shouldn't make them lose a game.

 

[Pakistanian]

If the Pakistany players can play top level basketball for 90 minutes, have zero pct fat with a six pack then hell why not ��

Even nba players don't have 0% bodyfat, nobody does - that is extremely unhealthy, a lot of athletes have 10-15% body fat and many have even more especially the older ones (26+).

Btw an nba game is 48 minutes not 90 and no player plays a whole 48 mins, there are many timeouts and substitutions, some of the best players like Harden and LeBron don't even play defense anymore to conserve energy.

 

[Pakistanian]

I think the OP is missing the point. It isn't one or two junk food meals which are responsible for poor performances, it is the junk mentality which it portrays that does the damage. Most of the Pakistan players see tours to England as a holiday jaunt where they can pig out every night. Sometimes even the bill will get picked up by establishments keen to host them for publicity. You can clearly see this junk mentality when they play. They don't want to dive in the field to stop boundaries, they will miss catches because they are dreaming about the biryani they will be scoffing after the game. If you ever watched a training session with the players you can see all of them are bored stiff and would rather be having a cup of tea and a ciggie.

I see your point, they need to be more professional, hustle on the field and train harder but eating out isn't bad for a team. Coach Pop of the Spurs, one of the best NBA coaches is known to take his team out frequently to eat - win or lose, he calls it "breaking bread",

Eating out ain't the problem or even the shisha (LeBron and Kawhi smoke cigars sometimes).

 

[dhump]

Bruh I used to eat at a dining hall on campus that catered mainly to student athletes and trust me the american football and basketball players would eat 2-3 double cheeseburgers and a few slices of pizza everyday much to the dismay of their nutritionist who encouraged them to add some greens to their plate in spite of that my college's team won their conference more than once so junk clearly isn't bad for athletes or at least shouldn't make them lose a game.

If they are stupid, what can I do? All high-quality, world-class athletes keep steady and healthy diet this I know now what you have seen is up to you more I can't say.

 

[JaDed]

OP,

This is how I am reading your post:

You are comparing from a genetically superior African American athlete with a genetically inferior Pakistani with a slower metabolism ?

Exactly my thoughts, but you know i was seeing Kyle in the NBA finals he isn’t physically fit but he had endurance and yes Asians cannot be compared to Black athletes , they have a different metabolism.

 

[Nostalgic]

If the Pakistany players can play top level basketball for 90 minutes, have zero pct fat with a six pack then hell why not ��

0% bodyfat isn't even possible, unless one suffers from the extremely rare condition this lady has:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Velásquez

Top athletes are usually at around 10% bodyfat, give or take a couple of percentage points.

 

[madwolf]

I see your point, they need to be more professional, hustle on the field and train harder but eating out isn't bad for a team. Coach Pop of the Spurs, one of the best NBA coaches is known to take his team out frequently to eat - win or lose, he calls it "breaking bread",

Eating out ain't the problem or even the shisha (LeBron and Kawhi smoke cigars sometimes).

you are getting closer. its not just what and how much you eat. ITs ho yu spend tehc lries from that

 

[IMMY69]

Even nba players don't have 0% bodyfat, nobody does - that is extremely unhealthy, a lot of athletes have 10-15% body fat and many have even more especially the older ones (26+).

Btw an nba game is 48 minutes not 90 and no player plays a whole 48 mins, there are many timeouts and substitutions, some of the best players like Harden and LeBron don't even play defense anymore to conserve energy.

are you serious?

Get this,

If the Pakistani players can play top level football for 4.5 hours, have minus 5pct fat and an 18 pack then hell why not...

Do you understand?

 

[IMMY69]

0% bodyfat isn't even possible, unless one suffers from the extremely rare condition this lady has:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Velásquez

Top athletes are usually at around 10% bodyfat, give or take a couple of percentage points.

See my reply to Pakistanian.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Not sure why OP is trying to make excuses for our players, nor why he would compare him to an obviously far fitter, much bigger person, for whom a burger would be nothing in terms of his daily calorie maintenance requirements.

It's like saying that an olympic swimmer, who might eat something like 7,000-10,000 calories a day, can eat a big mac once in a while, so Sarfraz should also be allowed to do the same.

However, that swimmer, or that professional boxer, or whoever the competitive athlete is, will definitely not be doing that before a game in any regular capacity, let alone a WC. One huge basketball player for whom having a burger is like having a cup of coffee - how can you even compare that to a little chubby guy like Sarfraz.

 

[Pakistanian]

Not sure why OP is trying to make excuses for our players, nor why he would compare him to an obviously far fitter, much bigger person, for whom a burger would be nothing in terms of his daily calorie maintenance requirements.

It's like saying that an olympic swimmer, who might eat something like 7,000-10,000 calories a day, can eat a big mac once in a while, so Sarfraz should also be allowed to do the same.

However, that swimmer, or that professional boxer, or whoever the competitive athlete is, will definitely not be doing that before a game in any regular capacity, let alone a WC. One huge basketball player for whom having a burger is like having a cup of coffee - how can you even compare that to a little chubby guy like Sarfraz.

We're talking about the whole team here and not just Sarfaraz, like I said his out of shape physique is why the whole team is being criticized, had a fitter player like Malik or Younus Khan been captain then nobody would have issues with them eating junk food. Eating burgers, pizza and pasta before a game is not uncommon here, even for varsity (School-level) athletes in America who aren't big. Like Dr [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] said having a high carb/high protein meal before a game is actually good.

 

[Realromeo]

Actually, having carb rich, high calorie food right before a game (say, 30 to 90 mins) is not harmful. In fact, it is quite common.

Having one at dinner the night before a game is a different story though.

How so ? Please explain biologically how it slows down? . I had 4 slices of Extra cheese pizza with pepperoni and bacon toppings 2 nights before. Had the game next day and I felt sluggish lol.

 

[Realromeo]

Exactly my thoughts, but you know i was seeing Kyle in the NBA finals he isn’t physically fit but he had endurance and yes Asians cannot be compared to Black athletes , they have a different metabolism.

Cannot put all Asians as one. Pasthuns and Punjabis are naturally stronger. South Indians, Bengalis and Sri Lankans are naturally not strong but have very high endurance and stamina. 60 year old sri lankans work in factories here for 14 hours a day, 6 days a week. Pashtuns are closer to Black Athletes. Those boys can bowl fast and hit hard.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

If the players had been allowed to bring their partners with them there would no Shisha and proper roti and daal food

 

[Mamoon]

How so ? Please explain biologically how it slows down? . I had 4 slices of Extra cheese pizza with pepperoni and bacon toppings 2 nights before. Had the game next day and I felt sluggish lol.

You didn’t read my post properly. Eating junk food the night before a game is not a good idea, but eating a cheeseburger, a slice of pizza or some pasta just before a game is quite common. Four slices of extra cheese pizza is excessive though.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Eating bad food just before a game is bad, no health advisor for any sport would recommend this, eating bad food the next day after is fine- like most sports players do eat a pizza

 

[Stewie]

It depends on your regular eating habits. If you avoid it on a regular basis, it wont hurt much. Especially something like a cheeseburger with high calories, will actually be good because you would need that energy.

 

[finalfantasy7]

It depends on your regular eating habits. If you avoid it on a regular basis, it wont hurt much. Especially something like a cheeseburger with high calories, will actually be good because you would need that energy.

How can process meat, diary and fake white bread give you energy,

 

[Stewie]

How can process meat, diary and fake white bread give you energy,

Sorry I misspoke. It’s carbs and you need those. Not ideal but not bad either because you burn those out on the field is what I meant to say.

 

[GrandMaster]

It's not a big deal if you can burn those calories. Some of the sports like basketball, tennis, badminton, soccer, rugby etc are quite exhaustive and players tend to burn the calories naturally.

The same cannot be said about Cricket. Imagine a batsman having a heavy meal or dinner a day before night, getting out the first ball of the inning and then fielding in the slip region throughout the match when his team is bowling. You hardly lose any calories.

 

[Pakistanian]

It's not a big deal if you can burn those calories. Some of the sports like basketball, tennis, badminton, soccer, rugby etc are quite exhaustive and players tend to burn the calories naturally.

The same cannot be said about Cricket. Imagine a batsman having a heavy meal or dinner a day before night, getting out the first ball of the inning and then fielding in the slip region throughout the match when his team is bowling. You hardly lose any calories.

That's an ignorant statement, you lose a lot of calories playing cricket. I don't think you've ever played that sport especially at that level otherwise you wouldn't be making such a statement. Baseball is even slow and lazier than cricket with smaller fields/more innings breaks than cricket and baseball players also have a very high calorie diet, I know a lot of baseball players that probably eat more junk food than other athletes.

 

[Stewie]

That's an ignorant statement, you lose a lot of calories playing cricket. I don't think you've ever played that sport especially at that level otherwise you wouldn't be making such a statement. Baseball is even slow and lazier than cricket with smaller fields/more innings breaks than cricket and baseball players also have a very high calorie diet, I know a lot of baseball players that probably eat more junk food than other athletes.

If you are doing your job on the field, you are burning a lot of calories, yes. You cover quite a lot in a 50 over game, especially if you bat for a while or bowl full quota of overs. It’s a lot of work. And it also tests your muscles recovery and durability because you are out there for hours, unlike other sports

 

[Pakistanian]

If you are doing your job on the field, you are burning a lot of calories, yes. You cover quite a lot in a 50 over game, especially if you bat for a while or bowl full quota of overs. It’s a lot of work. And it also tests your muscles recovery and durability because you are out there for hours, unlike other sports

Exactly, these people never played any sport let alone cricket. It's a lot more labor-intensive than they think it is.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Sorry I misspoke. It’s carbs and you need those. Not ideal but not bad either because you burn those out on the field is what I meant to say.

I understand you stewie, however their are many carbs and eating a cheeseburger is bad carbs for anyone, it wont give you the long energy you require. Never mind their are so many better alternatives to eat.

Why are we seeing more sports players eating these type of food infront of the camera - players are now days are very ego - aint no difference in old school players drinking/getting wasted before and after games, for instance in football - gary linekar barely every drank before and after - thats even when after winning a trophy-celebrating in the changing rooms - however he used to admit his teammates used to drink just for their ego - just to get away with anything

 

[finalfantasy7]

Exactly, these people never played any sport let alone cricket. It's a lot more labor-intensive than they think it is.

Its not when you compare to many sports - try and play sports like badminton an squash - fast paced sports and then compare it with cricket.
Hence inn most sports you cant be fat like sarfaraz even like kieron pollard, or as skinny as fawad alam - even if you look at a skinny football players like joe cole/ kante / del piero - they still have low percentage body fat - but were it matters for them - the thigh and calf muscle - are very muscular.
Reason why cricket is trying to hype up kohli who is skinny by the way, in reality cricket has only ever produced a handful of athletes i the game - andrew. symonds being at the top.

Your case is that compare crickets to your average cricket watcher/ amateur club player - they can get away with it, thats is partly correct, however even flintoff stated that he didnt take his diet seriously enough and it really affected him.

 

[GrandMaster]

That's an ignorant statement, you lose a lot of calories playing cricket. I don't think you've ever played that sport especially at that level otherwise you wouldn't be making such a statement. Baseball is even slow and lazier than cricket with smaller fields/more innings breaks than cricket and baseball players also have a very high calorie diet, I know a lot of baseball players that probably eat more junk food than other athletes.

I have been playing cricket since last 30 years. Not only cricket, I have represented my college in Cricket, Soccer and Hockey so I have a fair bit of idea what's involved in each sports. You tend to lose calories when you are batting and doing a lot of running between the wickets, but how often you score 50s and 100s?

Cricket is the most relaxing and less calorie buring sport as compared to other sports i mentioned.

 

[Pakistanian]

I have been playing cricket since last 30 years. Not only cricket, I have represented my college in Cricket, Soccer and Hockey so I have a fair bit of idea what's involved in each sports. You tend to lose calories when you are batting and doing a lot of running between the wickets, but how often you score 50s and 100s?

Cricket is the most relaxing and less calorie buring sport as compared to other sports i mentioned.

Maybe cause you aren't fielding, running after the ball, changing field positions after every over. You also forget that 90% of the action takes place in practice and training camps, as an amateur you've never had to take a fitness test or spend training like a dog before a game. Professional/first class cricket is a whole nother league than playing for some small college or club in Pakistan.

It's like telling a bodybuilder that his sport is easy just cause he goes up on stage and poses but you don't notice the years of hard work in the gym.