Chukka Wellness

Do you find yourself snacking on biscuits, crisps, sandwiches? Have you become reliant on caffeine or sugar?

It is essential to stay alert throughout chukkas as polo is about making quick decisions and reacting rapidly during fast play so maintaining high energy levels through the correct nutrition is a great place to start.

At Chukka Wellness we understand that during the busy polo season it can be difficult to find the time to cook healthy meals so we thought we would provide you with a few quick and easy suggestions.

PRE/POST CHUKKA SNACKS

The following snacks are packed full of goodness and can be chucked in the horse lorry to eat later on in the day!

We recommend snacking on these in the hours running up to your chukkas to reduce the risk of falling blood sugar levels which can lead to low energy levels and an increased desire for a sugary snack.

- Banana

- Handful of nuts

- Peanut butter

- Fruit

- Olives

- Protein bar

- Protein shake

STAYING HYDRATED

No this doesn’t mean drinking lots of Redbull or coffee, it means sipping on water throughout the day. However, during a busy day of chukkas you may need something a little more than just water.

ISOTONIC DRINKS

I.D aim to improve the intake of water, minerals and nutrients and replenish any stores the body has lost through exercise i.e. glucose and sodium. An isotonic drink is easily absorbed and quickly leaves the stomach to avoid any indigestion during athletic performance.

We recommend taking 1-2 sips of your isotonic drink in-between chukkas and then slowly finishing it off after chukkas have finished.

If you are interested in creating your own Isotonic drink here is a simple recipe:

- 250ml real fruit juice

- 250ml water

- A pinch of salt

Mix together and chill in the fridge

POST CHUKKAS OT TRAINING

Let’s not forget about fuelling your body after you’ve exercised or played.

On a nice sunny day a beer or a white wine spritzer seems appetising straight after a polo game but that’s not really the best option for the health and recovery of your body.

Along with drinking lots of water for rehydration, be sure to add some protein in to your evening meal to help repair and protect the muscles.

Protein Suggestions

Turkey Meatballs in a tomato sauce

Scrambled egg and smoked salmon on toast

Chilli (or bean chilli or vegetarians)

Chicken Sausages and mash with vegetables

Tuna and baked potato

CHUKKA WELLNESS TIPS:

Always have a large bottle of water with you

Make sure you have a protein filled meal or snack within 1 hour after polo or training.

For more snack and meal options, visit our website for our FREE RECIPE DOWNLOAD

https://chukkawellness.co.uk