Proper Nutrition for Athletes
Proper nutrition is an essential part of
living a healthy life; this is even truer when considering nutrition for
athletes. Athletes who are more active or are engaged in a sport need to have a
well-balanced diet. Including the proper nutrition that the body needs will help
you stay healthy and energized. Today, obtaining proper nutrition for an
athlete is not difficult to achieve; with the help of scientists and
nutritionists, there is a wide variety of nutrition plans and nutrition
programs to choose from. Without the adequate nutrition, athletes can develop
various diseases, and also run the risk of poor performance on the field, court
or athletic event.
Why is proper nutrition for athletes
important?
The main reason why athletes should find a
nutrition program is so that they can stay healthy and prevent injuries. Recent
research reports that injuries are more prevalent during the last 20-30 minutes
of a game; this is because during this time the body is more fatigued and the
mind becomes less concentrated. A healthy diet can help athletes build
endurance not only physically, but mentally as well. Staying focused and
energized throughout a game or an event can help prevent injuries.
Another important reason to obtain proper
nutrition is to enhance your overall performance. Despite of all the training
and skills received, the only way for an athlete to reach his or her full
potential is by nourishing and fueling the body. By eating healthy meals full
of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, athletes can provide their body with the
adequate energy source to perform well.
What should healthy nutrition for athletes
include?
Athletes should consider
consuming a healthy diet that includes the following;
Carbohydrates - Since they provide up to
50% of the energy source, carbohydrates should definitely be on top of the
nutrition plan list. The more active a person is the more carbohydrates the
body will use. Including proper amounts of carbohydrates in your diet will aid
in your performance and strength.
Water - As most know, water is necessary
for life. Being well-hydrated is crucial for all human beings especially
athletes. Becoming even slightly dehydrated can be extremely dangerous while
you're active. Water is needed to regulate your body temperature and protect
your health.
Fats - Like carbohydrates, fats are also a
good source of energy. While fat is typically only used after one hour of
performance, an adequate amount of fat should be included in an athlete's diet.
Lack of fat consumption can highly affect your physical activity.
Protein - Once carbohydrates and fats have
been used, the body will search for proteins as an alternative energy source.
When extra protein is consumed, the body stores it as fat and uses it when
energy is necessary.
Vitamins & Minerals - Riboflavin,
thiamin, and niacin are three important vitamins that should be included in an
athlete's nutritional regimen. These vitamins are required in order for the
body to produce energy.
How can you obtain the proper nutrition?
Most people don't have the time or patience
to build their own nutrition plan. That is why special nutrition programs for
athletes have been developed. These nutrition plans are made especially to help
athletes improve their performance as well as their overall health. Athletes
should always be careful to provide their body with the nutrients it needs to
succeed.
Comments
Post a Comment