It is hard to believe that the winter months are here. The holiday season brings lots of parties and outdoor activities like sledding and ice skating. Since the weather is dryer and the heaters are on, many of the players try to drink more water.

With the NFL teams in the middle of their season and many of you are finishing up your football seasons, It is important to continue to think about the food you put in your body, since this is when you have time to eat and grow and build strength.  The Ravens are eating to maintain their energy and strength. They are halfway through a tough season and some of the guys are trying not to lose weight. If you lost weight during your football season and need to regain some weight or just need to eat more to grow taller, there are lots of foods that will add the calories and the nutrition your body needs.

Since the season began the Ravens players have been attending meetings, working out, and practicing hard each week. Their schedules are so busy that planning what they are eating is the last thing on their minds. Eating well for recovery and healing is important during the football season.

The NFL season has begun.  Now that all the players are going to be in Baltimore for several months they are getting groceries for their homes and deciding on some quick and easy meals they can prepare when they get home from practice.

Wow, it is hard to believe that training camp is here.  The players enjoyed their vacations and now are participating in the Ravens 2-a-day workouts.

The Ravens have ended the off-season conditioning program. Now the players and coaching staff are taking some vacation before training camp. While the Ravens are away from the facility, they will still try to eat healthy and make good food choices.

As the weather gets warmer, I remind the Ravens football players how important it is to stay hydrated when they exercise. Hydration affects our coordination, balance and ability to exercise or play for a long time. Read more to find out how you can stay hydrated.

During the NFL Draft last week, the Ravens drafted 10 players. There have also been a few players on our roster who were not drafted out of college, but worked hard to make the team. One of our current starters, Bart Scott, was an undrafted player from Southern Illinois University.Since Bart came to the team, he has met with me each year to tailor his nutrition program to compliment his workout program.

Hi! I am Sue A. James, MS, RD, LDN, and I am the Baltimore Ravens team nutritionist. NFL Rush is adding nutrition information and my blog this year so you are able to get an inside view on professional football players and their nutrition program.

Sue A. James, MS, RD, LDN is president of Pinnacle Health & Wellness, LLC, a consulting firm that provides health, wellness, and sports nutrition programming to businesses and schools.