If you are an athlete, you know how important it is to keep fit, especially when it’s the season of competition. Nutrition is one of the most important factors in keeping fit. Here are some tips on how you can eat healthily.
1. Make sure you have enough carbohydrates and protein – To start off, one of the most important things is that you are eating enough carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates are important because they fuel you, they are the main source of your energy. As WebMD states, the carbohydrates you eat are changed into glucose and stored in the muscle. The glycogen is then changed into energy when you exercise. You can work out for as long as 90 minutes and still have enough energy. But if you will be working out longer than that, you need to at least have a diet consisting of 70% carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and vegetables. As for protein, eat just enough for your body type. Protein is not your main source of energy, but it can help maintain your muscles. Some good sources of protein include milk and lean meats, fish and eggs. It’s also important to maintain your energy while you exercise. You can go for protein bars to give you that quick burst of energy during workouts.
2. Be mindful of the snacks that you eat – If you want to eat between meals in order to keep your energy up, you need to choose those foods that you will eat wisely. If you are looking to lose weight while training as an athlete, you need to steer clear of foods that are fatty or fried. Don’t think that you can just burn off the calories while exercising. If you are craving for a type of food, in particular, look for a healthier and less fatty alternative. For example, if you want French fries, opt for a baked potato instead. Some good snacks that you can try are protein bars, Greek yogurt, some nuts and many more. Try to ask a nutritionist who can give you advice on which Food for athletes is best for your situation. One thing you will want to avoid in your diet is sugary drinks like soda and the like. They contain very little nutrition and can even add to your weight.
3. Don’t skip meals and keep yourself properly hydrated – One thing you should never do as an athlete unless you are adviced by your nutritionist is to skip your meals. Nutrition is very important in the lives of athletes. You will not have enough energy for your workouts and training if you do not fuel up. Also, if you skip meals, then it is inevitable that you would be feeling hungry. That is dangerous because the tendency of hungry people is to eat too much. If you are looking to lose weight in order to meet a weight class, you will have a harder time shedding the weight if you overeat. One more thing is that you have to make sure that you are hydrated. It can be very taxing on your body if you workout, especially during hot weather. When you lose too much fluid, your performance as an athlete may get affected. Your urine is one indication of whether you are dehydrated or not. Having pale urine means you are properly hydrated, but darker colored urine means you need to take some water already.
