Unleash Your Inner Athlete Today
Looking to unleash your inner athlete? Well apart from a rigorous training routine, your nutrition is paramount! Check out these amazing superfoods that can help you perform at an optimal level. Nutrition is huge – pay attention to it!
Superfoods for your inner athlete
As you know, pro athletes need a very strict balanced diet in order to perform at an optimal level.
These include a variety of meats, vegetables, fruits and many more. There are a variety of misconceptions in dieting as you can easily be led astray by terms such as ‘quick results’.
Foods can be separated into regular weekly foods and foods that you can consume daily to fuel your mind and body for the day ahead.
Separating your diet into vegetables and lean meats gives your body the chance to get the spectrum of nutrients it needs, as vegetables provide minerals and antioxidants, as well as fuel provided by protein and healthy fats from lean meats.
Here are a few superfoods for all the athletes and average Joes out there that will help you unleash your inner athlete:
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has rich fiber content and is also high in complex carbohydrates. Oatmeal is a good alternative source of protein, providing a contained release of energy through to your bloodstream, which is vital for athletes competing in long-distance running.
Another benefit of oatmeal is that it is high in Vitamin B meaning not only is it healthy for you it also lowers your general cholesterol levels while filling your body with the necessary nutrients it needs.
Milk
We all know the benefits of milk and it doesn’t stop with the various different types that are available. Milk is a great place to start when it comes to athlete’s diets and is filled with carbs and protein. When you drink milk it allows your muscles to recover – making it the perfect post-workout drink.
Muscles recover even quicker when protein and carbohydrates are consumed together.
Whey Protein
There are a lot of debates when it comes to manufactured protein supplements. Whey Protein is one of the best options due to its price and its effectiveness! It is one of the only protein supplements that provide your body with the essential amino acids your body needs as an athlete.
Whey Protein helps repair muscles after an intense workout.
Sweet Potato
As well as pumping your body with the necessary nutrients it needs, you also need to get rid of the things that are unnecessary. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, which lower blood pressure.
They are high in minerals and vitamins that some athletes may be lacking. Potassium, manganese, and iron are only a select few minerals that sweet potatoes include.
Salmon
Omega-3 is a nutrient that can often be missed by athletes. Salmon has B6 & 12 vitamins that help reduce inflammation that our bodies may go through. Not only is salmon a great alternative to meat, but it also has the highest protein intake out of any other fish.
It has a huge selection of health benefits as it decreases the risk of problems that are cardiovascular and high bloody pressure.
Bananas
Bananas are great for your overall health. They make you feel good, can stop constipation, and even taste great. They are believed to be one of the best pre-workout snacks that aren’t manufactured. It includes potassium, helps maintain low blood sugar levels, aids digestion, and restores your body of any lost electrolytes after physical exercise.
It doesn’t stop there as bananas are also a great anti-inflammatory that prevents cardiovascular diseases.
Water
The final superfood on our list is water. Whether you exercise every day or occasionally, hydration is key. Ensuring you get enough water before, during, and after you exercise helps your body maintains the proper hydration level – helping to prevent cramping.
We recommend you take your body weight and divide it by 2 and drink that many ounces of water per day (more depending on the activity and ambient temperature).
Wrap-Up
Obviously, these are only a select few superfoods that are great for you – there are many many more out there that can help fuel your inner athlete!
Making sure you find the right balance is key to truly maximizing your body and helping you unleash your inner athlete!
- 5 Nutritional Benefits of a Paleo Diet - November 26, 2015
- What Are the Best Sports Foods for Athletes? - October 29, 2015
