Episode 3 - Feeding the Whole Family: Why Meal Prep Starts Before the Week Does

Nutrition doesn't start at dinnertime — it starts the week before, when you actually have time to plan. In this episode of the Athlete Family Podcast, we break down the first pillar of family performance nutrition: Load Awareness. Before any meal prep happens, you need to understand what you're actually fueling for — your athlete's practices, games, and tournaments, but also your own work schedule, commutes, and the mental load that comes with running a household. We walk through what load awareness actually looks like in practice, how to find small prep windows throughout the week, and why planning on Friday for the following week beats scrambling on Sunday every time. Sylvie shares exactly how she preps for a travel week with two toddlers — what she made, when she made it, and how simple grab-and-go options can keep the whole family fueled without a full day in the kitchen. Whether you're heading into a tournament weekend or just trying to survive a busy school and practice week, this episode gives you the foundation to stop making last-minute food decisions. In this episode: What load awareness means — and why it's the first pillar Athlete stress vs. family stress: understanding the full picture The hidden parent load and why your fuel matters too How to find prep windows that actually fit your schedule Slow cooker, sheet pan, and grab-and-go strategies for busy nights What to order when you're on the road and fast food is the only option Why the Uber Eats math almost never works in your favor A challenge to start with just one prep window this week The Hosts Sylvie Vilaca — Performance Nutritionist & High-Performance Coach at GRP Sylvie works directly with youth, junior, and professional athletes inside the GRP high-performance environment. She specializes in fueling development, performance longevity, and building sustainable habits that extend beyond the gym. Isabelle "Izzy" Dimambro — Nutritionist & Athlete Development Associate at GRP Isabelle combines her athletic background with her academic training in nutrition to apply evidence-based strategies that help individuals fuel properly, recover effectively, and build sustainable habits that optimize performance. Gary Roberts Performance hosts this podcast. If you're looking to take your game — and your family's performance — to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive training programs for elite hockey players. 👉 Click the link below to Book a Call with a GRP Coach. IG: @garyrobertshpt #AthleteFamilyPodcast #FamilyNutrition #HockeyFamily #AthleteFuel #PerformanceNutrition #HockeyMom #HockeyDad #YouthAthlete #GaryRobertsPerformance