How to win those crunch games: Part Five

Eat your way to end-of-season glory with Matt Lovell, nutritionist for Spurs as well as England’s rugby team.

EARLY MORNING TITLE DECIDER

THE MEAL Oats, banana and honey
Banana and honey produce the natural tranquiliser serotonin – a chemical to make you sleepy. This will deplete your stress hormones. The slow-release carbs in the oats will restore your energy levels, giving you the fuel to bust a gut in the big game.

CRUCIAL RELEGATION BATTLE

THE MEALDuck, miso and lettuce soba noodle soup, noodles, romaine lettuce
Serotonin-rich duck will ease pre–match anxieties and lettuce contains opiates, to calm nerves and muscles. Soba noodles have carbs and protein for energy stores. Miso seasoning will aid hydration by up to 25 per cent.

THE BIG CUP FINAL

THE MEAL Tuna, garlic, chilli and broad bean hotpot
Chilli increases catecholamines – the fight or flight hormone – which will make you stand up and be counted when it matters. Dopamine – the get up and go brain hormone – in broad beans and tuna will keep you fighting until the final whistle.

Also see:
How to win those crunch games: Part One
How to win those crunch games: Part Two
How to win those crunch games: Part Three
How to win those crunch games: Part Four

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