Are you an athlete who wants to be at your top performance? Check out this guide on nutrition planning for athletes and why it’s so vital.
One of the most important things for athletes to stay on top of is their meal planning. Nutrition planning for athletes is different than meal planning for those trying to change their daily diet for weight or health purposes.
Athletes need the proper nutrients to keep their bodies healthy and prepared to wake up each morning and perform at top levels. As an athlete, you’re pushing your body more than average every day, and you need an athlete diet plan that’s going to work best for you and your routine.
Continue reading below for a complete guide on creating an athletic nutrition plan!
Don’t Forget About Breakfast
Skipping breakfast isn’t something you should do, even if you’re trying to lose weight. If you’re in the habit of waking up in the morning and heading straight out the door for your morning jog or run, then it’s best to make one slight change. That change is eating breakfast.
It’s not uncommon for some people to not feel hungry first thing in the morning, but when you wake up, your blood sugar is low. It’s ideal to eat some toast or even a bagel before going for your jog.
Start slow if you need to, eating small amounts of foods with high amounts of carbs in it. As time passes by, you might notice that you’re able to eat more for breakfast.
Hydrate Correctly Each Day
Drinking lots of fluid is also just as important as remembering to eat your breakfast. Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of your workout or training session to begin drinking water.
Start your day drinking plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated at all times. After completing an event, you can consider drinking milk, which is full of many nutrients your body needs for a healthy recovery.
Build the Meal Around a Protein
When meal planning, be sure to build your meal around a protein. Protein is needed to help your muscles recover. Choose foods like fish, poultry, soy, dairy, nuts, and lean meats.
Use your body weight to determine how much protein you’ll need to consume each day and then create your meals around this number. Fats are important as well, and you should ensure you get enough good fats that won’t slow down your body.
Incorporate Antioxidants
Staying healthy includes incorporating enough antioxidants into your nutrition plan. Choose colorful fruits and veggies to provide your body with a plentiful amount of antioxidants.
Consume these fruits and vegetables with your meals and as snacks throughout the day. Certain fruits and vegetables are also great as inflammation tamers.
Nutrition Planning for Athletes Made Simple
Athletes push their bodies each day to their fullest potential. To keep your athletic body healthy and ready to take on every new day, be sure to follow this guide on nutrition planning for athletes.
For more topics as informative as this one, be sure to visit us daily!
