Put quite simply, food and nutrition is important for athletes. It provides a source of energy required to perform and recover from the activity. Also, food provides the building blocks required to build stronger, faster, and better athletes.
Not only is what we eat important, but when we eat throughout the day can have an impact. The timing of a meal can affect an athlete’s performance level. It can also affect their ability to recover after training.
A basic training diet will provide enough energy and nutrients to meet the demands of exercise and recovery. It will facilitate adaptation and recovery between sessions. A good diet for an athlete will enable them to achieve optimal body weight and body fat levels for their performance.
Current recommendations for carbohydrates vary and depend on duration, frequency, and intensity of exercise. Foods rich in unrefined carbohydrates are preferred to refined. Carbohydrates that are nutrient dense are even more preferable.
Protein plays an important role in a training diet, and has a key role in post-exercise recovery and repair. The amount of protein recommended for a professional athlete varies by individual, and sport. A key guideline is based on an athletes lean body mass, and factors in their daily training requirements.
A well planned diet will meet an athlete’s vitamin and mineral needs. At the highest levels in sport, individual assessment may lead to supplementation that further enhances performance. More generally, supplementation will only benefit those with an inadequate diet, or with a clinically diagnosed deficiency.
The is plenty of online information available to athletes regarding food and nutrition.
Here are some of our articles.
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