When you slice your drive, duff a chip or miss that 3' putt, did you ever think that your breakfast may to blame? If your body doesn't have the right fuels, it doesn't perform properly, so what you eat can effect your game.

"The night before you play, have a healthy meal," recommends Claudine Holliday, a registered dietitian with a Masters degree in exercise physiology, at The Cooper Fitness Center in Dallas, Texas. "Your body needs a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat, so stay away from high fat and sugary foods," she states. Your body burns carbohydrates first, then the proteins and fats, converting them to glucose for cell fuel. If you eat all carbohydrates or sugars, your system will burn them all at once, and you'll peak, and crash before you finish your round. You need proteins to sustain you through 18 holes, so Holliday also suggests a balanced breakfast of fruit, cereal, skim milk, yogurt or maybe egg whites or substitutes. Skip the heavy bacon and eggs--it's too much for your body to digest and use, and you'll feel sluggish, weak and queasy due to the high fat content of your meal.

At the turn, pass on that hot dog and chips and opt for fruit, a granola bar or a turkey or tuna sandwich--better yet says Holliday, "Bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich--it has the ideal mix of carbohydrates, protein and fat." Cheese crackers are a second alternative. If you want to pack a quick and easy snack, try an energy boost from "Boost," in either liquid or bar form. The liquid has a protein base, has an array of vitamins and minerals and is low in saturated fats. Boost also comes in a convenient bar that you can easily tuck in your bag.

Hydration is also important, so remember to drink 8-10 glasses of water the day before your game, and 4-8 oz. of liquid, preferably water or add some juice, every 30 minutes while you play. If you really want that beer, alternate alcoholic beverages with water, or electrolight drinks if needed.

After the game, continue to drink fluids and snack again on carbos and protein. You'll speed your recovery time and feel better as you balance your body fuel levels. And don't let anyone give you grief about the peanut butter sandwich in your golf bag--you can tell them your kid forgot it--and it may help you win that next Nassau! 414 words (57 on Boost)

Loren -- I think the item about Boost sounds a little commercial in the body of the article. If the publisher wants it included, then why not delete it from the body copy and add a sidebar or footnote that reads:

If you want to pack a quick and easy snack, try an energy boost from "Boost," in either liquid or bar form. The liquid has a protein base, has an array of vitamins and minerals and is low in saturated fats. You can keep it in your cooler, or try the convenient bar that you can easily tuck in your bag. The liquid comes in 6 chocolate and strawberry-based flavors, the bar in 2 flavors. This is a new product, so look for Boost Nutritional Energy Foods in food, drug, or discount stores, in the nutritional supplements section. 98 words

(You could even add several other products if you wanted--like Power Bars, Balance or PR Bars, or Gatorade and Golf Active--though they aren't protein products--and open some advertising doors!) Your call--just wanted to offer a suggestion since talking about one product in an article just seems to threaten my editorial credibility. THANKS! md