Nutrition for Life
By Wrangler Network contributor Miss Rodeo America
Nutrition isn’t always an easy topic for most folks to understand when there is so much conflicting information out there. As Miss Rodeo Wyoming we are busy ladies with an important job and want to perform at the best of our abilities. It’s imperative that we are consuming wholesome foods that will give us that extra bit of energy to sign autographs for joyful fans, making sure you can handle a hot horse and not to mention the hundreds of miles that we travel, usually with little sleep.
The rule of thumb that we all grew up with, is to eat three square meals a day that includes all the major food groups. However, as we know this isn’t always possible due to the hectic but worthwhile schedules we have during our reign. A great place to start is with your carbohydrates and protein sources. There are two kinds of carbs; simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates include pastas, breads, baked goods, sugars etc. These foods give you ample amount of energy, only it lasts for a short while because they hold very little nutritive value. They break down easier and when consumed in excess it can be stored as fat in your body. Complex carbohydrates include your fruit and vegetable groups. Compared to simple carbs, these contain important nutritional value as well as fiber for added digestion. They are more challenging for your body to breakdown, that’s why they make you more full and energized for hours.
Protein sources aren’t usually ones I would discriminate against, if at all. When there is conflicting information out there on which sources are the do’s and don’t’s; red meats vs. white or lean cuts vs. processed meats. Protein will not only help with that added energy, but also provide the nutrition to keep your lean muscle mass. In my opinion, any kind of protein source is better than none at all. Of course there is a lot more that goes into a diet. Diet is simply referencing what a person is consuming, whether it’s good or bad. Also remember that everything is better in moderation, be aware of your portion sizes.
Currently an undergraduate student at the University of Wyoming I began my studies in human nutrition then switched to animal nutrition with the end goal of becoming a ruminant nutrition consultant.
After my experience as Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2015, a healthy nutrition regime wasn’t exactly easy for me either. It was a lot of trial by error when getting used to living on the road. Some things I did to make it easier was packing a cooler of healthy options such as fruits and vegetables, crackers, granola bars etc. Most times the current host family I was staying with was more than happy to refill my cooler.
My go to food items on the road was always a can of mixed nuts and Quest protein bars. This way it was easier on my wallet so I wasn’t always eating out or tempted to hit that drive through every time. Even at the rodeo hospitality tent, committees usually included a wholesome lunch/dinner menu. Most importantly above good nutrition is excellent hydration.
