CADILLAC — Cadillac High School students and student-athletes who took strength and conditioning classes this past fall learned about the importance of sports nutrition as part of a new three-month lesson.

Cadillac Area Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Brown said the portion of the class focused on sports nutrition was presented by the district’s resident dietitian, Tammy Swihart. Brown said each of the six classes consisted of approximately 40 students, many of whom participated in one or more sports throughout the year.

In September, Swihart led a lesson on nutrition for athletic performance, during which students sampled and received a recipe for energy bites. Swihart said this lesson was a general overview of sports nutrition that addressed the three macronutrients, meal planning, what balanced plates should look like, and the role of vitamins and minerals in supporting bodily functions and athletic performance.

The second lesson in October focused on nutrition strategies for athletic events. Students sampled and received a recipe for mini parfaits. Swihart said she discussed nutrition before, during, and after athletic events and games, including a recap of carbohydrates and fats, as well as an introduction to specialty sports foods and beverages.

The final lesson in November centered on hydration and fueling success. Students sampled and received a recipe for blenderless smoothies.

“We talked about how water is important and how they lose water through sweating, evaporation, urine and tears. When they lose water, they also lose electrolytes, so they need to consume fluids with electrolytes to prevent dehydration,” Swihart said.

While the lessons covered popular sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, Swihart said studies have shown that the best sports drink is low-fat chocolate milk. Its blend of protein, carbohydrates and electrolytes is an optimal way to refuel after athletic activity.

In fall 2023, Cadillac Area Public Schools received a $150,000 grant to help improve the nutritional quality of school meals. The funds were part of the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, an allocation of nearly $30 million by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to 264 school districts across 44 states and the District of Columbia.

At the time of the grant’s announcement, Brown said it would be dispersed over three years and allows the district to hire a dietitian or nutritionist to implement K-12 programming focused on nutrition education, food education, and healthy choices. Swihart, who was hired in February 2024, is a Chartwells Food Service employee who works across all district buildings.

While Swihart is not teaching sports nutrition during the spring semester strength and conditioning classes — due to many students repeating the course after taking it in the fall — she plans to offer the lessons again next fall.