Athletic trainer Alexis Galbreath is working to improve student performance by changing the way students fuel their bodies. Through a new healthy lunch alternative counter at Dublin Secondary, she hopes to help students, especially athletes better prepare for competition and everyday life.
Galbreath, a former cross country, volleyball, and soccer athlete, said the idea came from her own experience in sports and how nutrition affected her performance.
“I noticed whenever I didn’t eat well the night before, I didn’t hydrate before, a couple days before a game, I could really see a difference in how I played and how I performed. So I wanted to kind of coach and teach athletes the best way to properly fuel themselves for athletics,” Galbreath said.
She also drew inspiration from her own high school experience.
“My high school had something kind of similar to this. I know how beneficial it was for me to be able to go and get a chocolate milk or a protein bar from my athletic trainer,” she said.
The counter now offers items such as chocolate milk, electrolyte drinks, and protein bars, all selected to support athletic performance and recovery.
“We have chocolate milk, Body Armor for electrolytes, and protein bars,” Galbreath said.
The options are designed to help athletes refuel after practices and competitions. Chocolate milk provides carbohydrates and protein to support recovery after exercise, while electrolyte drinks help prevent cramping and support rehydration following workouts and games.
Since introducing the counter, Galbreath said she has already seen changes in student habits.
“A lot of the kids, before, they wouldn’t eat breakfast or they would drink soda instead. Now instead they try to find me so they can get that chocolate milk for the macros that they can hit for their nutrition, and they also come and get electrolytes from me instead of drinking soda,” she said.
She has also noticed changes in what students bring from home.
“I do start to see my kids make less unhealthy choices. They would sometimes come in in the mornings with a soda in their hand, and instead now they’re coming in with a Gatorade or Powerade,” Galbreath said.
Galbreath said access to healthier options can be a challenge in a small community.
“We’re a small town, so there’s not a big nutrition store that’s really close by. They kind of have to go out of their way to get that stuff,” she said.
Education, she said, is a key part of the initiative.
“I like to try and let them know the facts that the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein helps build muscle, restore strength, and support the immune system,” Galbreath said.
She regularly sees athletes using the counter before and after practice.
“I’ve had a lot of athletes that come see me in the morning to grab the chocolate milk and then they’re gonna head out to track practice, and they come back for a Body Armor or a protein bar before they head out,” she said.
Galbreath hopes these habits will extend beyond high school athletics.
“My hope is for these athletes to be able to nutritionally get the benefits that they need and understand that even after high school, nutrition is a big part of life that helps you perform better and live day to day better overall,” she said.
Choosing healthier alternatives can support both mental and physical well-being. Proper nutrition helps students maintain energy and focus while improving mood and reducing irritability caused by not eating enough, which can impact both academics and athletic performance. The initiative reflects Dublin Secondary’s motto: “Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s World.”