By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

“I know the dietician who is coming to speak at the high school,” Debbie Vinson said. “I’m definitely going to hear her speak. Are you coming?”

“I want to,” I said, hoping another meeting would not fall on the same night. “Is everyone invited?”

“Yes, absolutely,” Vinson said. “I may have heard about this early because my daughter is taking Sports Medicine—but I know that everyone is welcome. It’s a sports medicine and nutrition seminar.”

Certainly, Donna Sibley, dietician from St. Vincent’s 119, arrived at PHS with valuable information for all students and parents. She focused her talk on four elements: Nutrients, performance, training diet and supplements.

“Coach Cobb asked Dr. Casey if she knew a nutritionist who would speak,” Sibley said. “Casey passed the word on to me and here I am.”

Dr. Emily Bell Casey, a PHS alum, talks with coaches on the PHS sidelines each week of football season because she serves as the PHS team doctor. Casey is the epitome of service to her alma mater.

After opening remarks on eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest, Sibley launched into a list of, not only what foods would fuel a body, but also how long each food should be eaten before performance.

She also encouraged getting calories from food instead of from juice or other sources. Encouraging students to know their bodies, Sibley encouraged adequate rest also.

“There is a YouTube video titled ‘Supplement 411,’” said Sibley. “Everyone should watch this video before taking supplements—especially athletes.”

“I really appreciate that this nutritionist stressed the importance of eating well,” baseball coach Sean Anderson.

Sibley suggested specific snacks to consume two to four hours before competition and she cautioned female students that severe calorie restriction could result in calcium deficiency and bone loss.

“Bones are built until the age of 21,” Sibley said. “From 21 to 35, bones are maintained, and after the age of 35, significant bone loss can occur.”

Ultimately, fueling a body properly improves both athletic performance and life experience.