Gamblers do many things to prepare for big games, but they are often superstitious, like putting a “lucky coin” in their pocket. However, our diet has a significant impact on our mental toughness, and what we eat before a big game can have a surprising influence on our success. Some professional poker players are already aware of this and carefully plan their diet before tournaments. A well-balanced diet can give you the energy important for gambling, better memory, and even improved impulse control. Here, we’ll talk about what a diet will look like to ensure that you can get all these benefits before trying your luck on sites like ICE Casino.
What Should You Eat?
Scientific research shows that different foods have different benefits, and a gambler’s diet should ideally include the following:
- Cheese: This is a food that can help lower blood pressure and regulate hormonal balance. This can have a positive effect on your mood. It is also rich in vitamin B12 and is useful for increasing mental stamina.
- Potatoes: They are rich in starch and can help you stay full and suppress your appetite during long gaming sessions. So, you don’t have to try to plan your move while your stomach growls. For the same reason, it’s best to choose foods rich in protein and complex carbohydrates for energy. To this end, eat fruits, vegetables, and meals with carbohydrates & protein a few hours before the game. For example, you can have whole wheat chicken sandwiches, brown rice with salmon and roasted vegetables, or whole wheat turkey wraps.
- Healthy Snacks: If you don’t have that much time or are not adept at the culinary arts, choose easily digestible carbohydrates with some protein for quick energy around an hour before the game. Fruits, homemade energy bars, whole wheat bread with nut butter, or whole-grain crackers with cheese are good choices.
- Water: This may sound like an obvious suggestion, but most gamblers reduce their fluid consumption due to the excitement surrounding the upcoming game. It is important to stay hydrated, and you should drink at least 2 liters a day. We strongly recommend that you even sit at the gaming table with a bottle of water, as long as it is allowed.
Daniel Negreanu, one of the most successful poker players, uses a vegan diet of fruit smoothies, nuts, chia seeds, crackers, and fresh produce to improve his performance. So, you don’t need to eat meat to get the protein you need; you can get it from a vegan diet, too.
What You Should Avoid Eating
Just as there are things you should eat, there are also things you should avoid before the big game.
Here are the ones that can affect your performance the worst:
- High Sugar and High-Fat Foods: The problem with these is that they cause energy spikes and crashes very quickly. In other words, they cause what is known as a “sugar crush”. One moment, you feel very energized; the next moment, you feel extremely tired. So, try not to eat anything with a high sugar content. Also, avoid fried foods, bacon, sausages, ribs, fast food, lasagna, and foods made with butter or cream, as they can cause digestive problems. We can also add all kinds of heavily spiced foods to this list: do not consume anything with too much spice.
- High-fiber foods: You can eat these in normal times, especially if you have problems in the toilet. However, high-fiber foods can also cause gas and bloating and can even make you feel like you have to rush to the bathroom. So, limit high-fiber foods close to game time. In particular, avoid raw vegetables, seaweed, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and high-fiber cereals.
And, of course, don’t try new foods just before a game. Exploring exotic cuisines can be fun, but you’re also taking some risks for your digestive system. You don’t want to take such a risk before an important game.
Other Tips You Can Benefit From
There is a technique called “empty stomach”: some research shows that you can make better decisions when trying to complete an important action on an empty stomach. The physical and psychological changes caused by hunger also affect your decision-making. But it’s not a technique you should try before the big game, and how effective it is varies from person to person. Consider using it in simple and trivial games to see how well it works for you.
Remember that regular sleep is just as important as your diet. Getting between 7-9 hours of sleep each day will have a greater impact on your mental stamina and energy levels than the food you consume. You can’t succeed with diet alone; you also need to pay attention to your sleep patterns.
Finally, no matter how you eat, remember that gambling is a thing of luck. Always play responsibly and remember that you can lose even if you have made all the necessary preparations. Therefore, no matter how big the game is, do not risk larger amounts than you can afford to lose. Playing responsibly is the most important thing a gambler should pay attention to.
