This is cricket nutrition tip of the week #3 by Dr. John Berardi.

I consider fish oil to be an essential supplement for fat loss. Data from the University of Western Ontario shows that fish oil supplementation increases lean body mass (during non-dieting conditions), increases BMR (by up to 400kcal/day), decreases inflammation, and improves the ratio of fat/carb oxidized (sparing carbs, burning fat). Recommended dose: Start with 6-10g per day of total fish oil (assuming 30% EPA and DHA).

This is cricket nutrition tip of the week #2 by Dr. John Berardi

To ensure that good foods will be available when you need them, use the Sunday Ritual. This is performed by setting aside three hours every Sunday to write out your menu for the week, shop for the week, and prepare your meals for the week. Cook all the meat, chop all the vegetables, measure out all the yogurt and/or cottage cheese, and distribute all the powders. Have them ready and set aside so that you can grab them in the morning and bring them with you regardless of what your day holds in store for you.

If you are eagle eyed you may have noticed 2 new pages on harrowdrive designed to help improve your nutritional preparation.

Remember, good nutrition is vital to good cricket performance, without eating right you're risking a large drop in performance levels.

Make the best of your game and check out these pages:

This is cricket nutrition tip of the week #1

Pasta is great as a delicious source of energy. But as a gut-fearing cricketer, you definitely have to choose when you eat it and what sort you eat.

Eat the whole-wheat variety. It has more nutrients and is lower GI than the white variety.

During match days and training periods that require higher carbohydrate intake (higher volume training in the winter) eat one whole-wheat pasta meal per day. During other phases (like where I'm trying to lose fat), the pasta stays on the shelf in favour of a higher lean protein, good fat, and fruit and veggie intake.

Part of the attraction of cricket and fitness is that both worlds generate so much debate: Everyone has an opinion. Rent-a-pundits are 10 a penny on Sky.

But it's important to question everyone's opinion because without asking why we accept as truth a lot of stuff that we can do better.

Look at the example of Jason Ferruggia, a man who has trained many athletes to peak performance. He says in his blog that supplements and fast acting sport drinks are a waste of time.

Had enough of being known as the jolly, roly-poly one in the team? You are not alone.

Most cricketers I speak to have weight loss as their main goal. And why not? It's good for your health, makes you look better and improves your cricket.

But losing weight is hard work and confusing. Especially during the season where a good tea is always just around the corner. With all those cakes and egg mayonnaise sarnies, no wonder you can't drop a pound.

With the league season fast approaching here, now is the time to set your cricket goals for the summer.

In the hope that you will be inspired to do this yourself, it's time for me to put my money where my mouth is. Here are my goals for the summer and how I plan to track them:

Overall Aim: To make 2007 my best cricket season ever.

Your club games and the World Cup have plenty in common.

Having pride in your cricket means raising your standards as high as you can whatever level you are at. Here are 6 innovations that you can bring to your level even without the talent and time that the top players have:

1. Fielding is vital. All World Cup teams drilled like mad almost every day. The influence of baseball is growing. Teams now practice getting the ball back to the keeper quickly every ball, focus on backing up a shy at the stumps rather than not throwing and double teaming to get throws in from the deep or from one set of stumps to the other. How much quality, intense and realistic practice does your club do?

Jeetan Patel of New Zealand was watching his team bat against Ireland. It was early (about 10am) and he had clearly missed his breakfast so he was enjoying what looked like a toasted cheese sandwich.

That is a terrible food choice for a professional cricketer to be making.

Patel would have warmed up with the squad before the game and was due to bat at 11 so was unlikely to have to do much in the next few hours. Yet he was getting his fuel from processed food high in 'bad' fat: Hardly the precision eating of an elite athlete.