WOODBURY- Pasta parties are known for their high energy, fun environment, and delicious food. But what many people tend to forget is their real purpose – preparing athletes for their upcoming games both mentally and physically.
For Nonnewaug athletes, pasta parties fuel them with what they are most known for: lots and lots of pasta. Carbohydrates play a key role in giving sports players the proper energy needed to excel in a game.
Rachel Frase, a registered dietitian, considers carbohydrates–like pasta and other foods consumed at parties–a vital component in a healthy diet, especially pre-game.
“Pasta provides a quick digesting and absorbing source of carbohydrates to the body,” Frase says. “The starch in pasta digests into glucose and will be stored first in muscle cells as glycogen and the rest will be stored as triglycerides in fat cells. During exercise, our cells will utilize both glucose and fat for energy.”
Having this energy stored away in your cells is crucial for optimal performance when game day arrives.
In addition to carbohydrates, protein is another macro nutrient essential for energy, which you consume through foods like meatballs.
“Ensuring there is adequate protein in a meal the day before a game and including the day of a game if it is not until later is very beneficial to athletes,” Frase says.
Along with giving athletes the nutrients they need, pasta parties allow athletes time for team bonding.
Junior Riley Rich, who hosted a pasta party for the girls volleyball team, agrees that the social aspect of the parties is what is essential to the success of the team.
“At the pasta parties we talk about how we should always keep our heads up and stay engaged the whole game,” Rich says. “Volleyball is a sport where communication and connection is essential to win. So getting together the night before as a team can help us get that connection between each other the best it could be.”
Strong communicatiaon between players is necessary to build team coordination, improve trust among teammates and perform better in a game.
Sophomore Rosie Makarewicz hosted the first pasta party for the Nonnewaug girls soccer team.
“I think pasta parties definitely help when it comes to team bonding,” Makarewicz says. “Communication off the field at parties helps us be more comfortable communicating on the field at games.”
The soccer team later won 3-0 against Lakeview the next day.
“I definitely would attribute our win to the pasta party,” says Makarewicz. “I think we just really got along well together and it showed on the field.”
