YOUNG footballers will have their waistlines checked and keep food diaries to make sure they are not gorging on junk food.
Youth squad members at Aberdeen Football Club are also being taught how to boil eggs as part of “survival cooking classes”.
Players will keep diaries cataloguing their food intake and will have to undergo “measurements” to make sure they are sticking to the healthy-eating regime.
Club bosses said it was “crucial” that they stick to the scheme to maintain a high level of fitness for next season.
Allan McKimmie, education officer at Aberdeen Football Club who organised the classes, said: “We’re trying to make sure players have the culinary skills to look after themselves when they leave club digs on Saturday when the season finishes.
“At the moment their meals are cooked at the club but they stop for the season today (wed).
“They’ve now completed a 10-week course in what some have referred to as ‘survival cooking’ where they learn how to boil eggs and pasta and the like.”
Mr McKimmie explained that over the summer the players – aged 16 to 20 – either return to their families or their own homes and it is up to them to eat healthily.
But he admitted they won’t be able to keep tabs on players to ensure they don’t run for the nearest McDonalds or kebab shop.
He added: “They have to keep diaries of what they are eating that will then be checked when they return at the pre-season near the end of June.
“They will then have all their measurements taken including weight and waistbands and other fitness levels that gives an indication to whether or not they’ve stuck to the programme.
“Teaching the team how to have a healthy diet is crucial – if they want to become professional players they have to stick to a well-balanced diet.”
David McDonald, general manager with Sodexo Prestige who runs the cooking course, said: “They are learning many new skills that will prepare them for the real world when they leave their accommodation.
“It can be tough moving out for the first time by yourself so we want to teach the young men how to look after themselves and stay healthy.
“A good, nutritionally balanced diet is essential to any athlete so teaching them cooking skills will help them move forward in their careers.”
