Professional athletes approach to food is also, as expected, at a professional level.That being said, it does not mean that I am always having expensive meals. What is important is the mindset after all.The dietary theory shared by Satoko Nagasaka, the exclusive nutritionist for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, is something that anyone, not just athletes, can take into consideration starting from tomorrow's breakfast!

― Since 2016, Ms. Nagasaka has been serving as the nutritionist for the Rakuten Eagles, managing the meals of all players from both the first and second teams, as well as the meals at stadiums and hotels during away games.Please tell me what you keep in mind when providing dietary support for professional athletes.

Meal is the absolute basic.Since it forms the foundation of the body, diet is incredibly important for athletes in any sport when it comes to building their physique.No matter what kind of training you do, it’s pointless if you don’t have a proper meal before and after.That’s why we adjust the menu while considering what the athletes would be willing to eat.No matter how nutritious the menu is, it’s meaningless if the athletes won’t eat it.

― Is the reason they won’t eat influenced by their likes and dislikes?

When you watch the Rakuten Eagles players, there are few that you strongly like or dislike.Many athletes are highly conscious about their diet, choosing meals based on their personal conditions, and often ask what they should eat.However, many athletes prefer homely meals like the ones they have at home, so they tend not to eat dishes that are intricately presented or seasoned, or items on the menu where they can’t imagine the taste just by looking at the name.Therefore, we ask the hotel staff to prepare meals for visitors and others in as simple a manner as possible, both in terms of appearance and taste. We also request them to serve the sauces separately so that the athletes themselves can enjoy the food in their preferred flavor.Also, one of the strategies to encourage eating is to post notes about the nutrients contained in the food used in the dish, and why it is beneficial to consume them.

― Do you notice any changes in the players’ physical condition by observing their eating habits?

When the amount of food you eat decreases, you might wonder if you’re a bit tired or if you’re not getting enough sleep.In such cases, we might call out to them or recommend a menu that’s easy to eat.Furthermore, we may also recommend snacks to athletes who cannot consume a lot of breakfast.In the visitor’s stadium, rice balls and sandwiches are prepared for us, so we often talk about strategies like “As soon as we arrive at the stadium, let’s eat a rice ball to secure energy, and also get a jelly drink”.However, we will not force you to eat.

― So you’re mindful to ensure that meals don’t become a source of stress, right?

The players feel pressure and stress during the matches, so we want them to enjoy and relax during meals.While maintaining a solid foundation of nutrients, I want to create an environment where there is always something the athlete wants to eat.”There are hardly any nutrients that can only be obtained from this menu, so if you can’t eat fish, you could eat meat instead.”Of course, I consider nutritional value, but I believe it is more important to increase the variety of fish types and cooking methods that can be eaten, and the menu that can be provided, by observing what the athletes are eating. I think it’s important to expand the menu that athletes can consume.

― Do you have any particular focus or dedication as a nutritionist, Nagasaka, when it comes to managing the diet of Rakuten Eagles players?

I make sure to remember the food and menu items that the athletes say are “delicious” or that they “like”, and reflect them in the menu.Moreover, we always make sure to serve dishes that are praised as “This is delicious at this hotel, at this stadium” even when we are on an expedition.

― Not only for athletes, food is essential for everyone.Do you have any meal advice for the readers?

There’s no nutrient that you can get by eating just this, and there’s no food that you absolutely must eat, so if there’s a food you don’t like, you can eat something else that contains the same nutrients.I believe it is important for both children and adults to eat a variety of foods and consume various nutrients.Furthermore, it is said that childhood eating habits influence later eating habits. Therefore, if you are a reader with young children, it would be beneficial to first establish a habit of eating three solid meals a day. Rather than eliminating likes and dislikes, I believe it would be good to be conscious from childhood of being able to eat a variety of foods.

― In recent years, thanks to the proliferation of protein-based nutritional supplements, we often hear about the importance of protein.What could be considered as nutrients that should be consumed in larger amounts?

It’s not about consuming more of one particular nutrient, but rather, balance in nutrients is important.People who play sports are often told that protein is important, but at the same time, I would like them to properly consume carbohydrates, which serve as a source of energy and the foundation for building the body.Timing is also important.It is often said that it’s important to have a good intake of protein, especially for breakfast.If you’re hungry for a long time, muscle breakdown progresses, so you need protein as a material to build muscles.It is said that consuming protein in breakfast is crucial not only for athletes, but also for the general public and the elderly to prevent muscle loss.Not only bread and coffee, but it would be good to try adding milk, eggs, and ham.

INTERVIEW & TEXT: Chiharu Abe