Eat To Excel
What is Eat To Excel?
What is Eat to Excel™?
It’s a nutrition-focused initiative that helps students make smart food choices based on their training schedule and goals. Whether you're gearing up for a big game, recovering from practice, or just taking a rest day, this program helps you build meals that support your body’s needs.
Here’s how it works:
- Training Plates: We label meals based on activity level—Easy, Moderate, or Hard—so students know how to balance carbs, protein, and veggies depending on their day.
- Mobile App Support: Students can use a simple app to get personalized meal suggestions, track their nutrition, and learn how to build a plate that works for them.
- Dining Hall Integration: We’ve worked with our chefs and dietitians to make sure the food served in our dining halls supports athletic performance and recovery.
- Education First: We’re not just serving food—we’re teaching students how to fuel their bodies for success, both on and off the field.
Why it matters:
We know that nutrition plays a huge role in performance, energy, and recovery. Eat to Excel™ helps students take control of their health in a way that’s easy, accessible, and tailored to their lifestyle.
Training Type and Meal Components
Carbs
Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for our bodies for moderate to high-intensity exercise. Helps with: Muscle contraction, Maintaining energy levels, Fuels our brain and muscles throughout the day.
Proteins
Unlike carbohydrates or fats, we can’t store protein in our bodies. Regularly consuming adequate amounts of protein ensures we are replenishing the availability of this nutrient. Protein supports: Metabolism, Immune function, Weight, Athletic performance
Colors
Also known as fruits & vegetables: Offer a variety of vitamins and minerals for normal function, growth, and maintenance.
Eat To Excel
Each plate is associated with a type of training–easy, moderate, or hard. But it is always important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all when fueling your body. Your sport and position, training environment, and body composition are a few ways that determine your unique needs.
Fueling your body is critical for preventing injury, optimal performance, and maintaining daily activities. Your fat and hydration consumption should increase as your training increases.
- Easy can be applied to an easy workout, cross-training, or rest days
- Moderate is your typical workout and practice days and acts as the baseline. Adjust meals based on your needs and your body’s response.
- Hard days require more energy from carbs to fuel, refuel and refresh your body. This plate is for before and after events, when timed correctly.
THE ICONS: Use these tools to make intentional choices with regard to carbs, protein, and colors while dining on campus.
- Look for icons like this one or similar on our dining halls menu!
Have More Questions About The Program?
Reach Out With Any Questions And Our Team Members Would Be Happy To Help!