Eat to Compete

Nutrition is one of the most important things any athlete can do and can be the make-or-break thing that holds most athletes back from becoming great. Most people think that having good nutrition is difficult and really is not that important, but the truth is that if an athlete doesn’t take care of their nutrition, then their body won’t be in the best shape to succeed. All athletes ask themselves how I improve my nutrition. It is a couple of answers to that question.

The first thing all athletes have to do in order to have good nutrition is look at how many calories they are taking in on a daily basis. the daily recommended calories for anyone is 2,500 calories. For athletes that may be higher due to the activities they are doing. If an athlete wants to lose weight, then they need to be in a calorie deficit and if they want to gain weight, they need to be in a calorie surplus. With that being said the next step also goes with that because it has to do with what they are eating.

Micronutrition is very important for athletes when it comes to nutrition. This is because what they put in their body will affect the way that their body preforms and how they perform during competition. It’s always good to have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Everyone hears fats and thinks that they are bad for your body but that is not always true. Fat helps your body build muscle and help your body preserve its energy which for athletes is very important fir while they are competing. Carbohydrates give athletes body energy and give them the power they need to be able to recover and allow their body to compete at maximum strength. Proteins help athletes body recovery and stay healthy while also providing their body with energy. These are all important and together helps athletes body stay healthy and recover faster while also allowing their body to perform at maximum strength and compete at a high level.

Finally, the most important thing that athletes need to when it comes to their nutrition is staying on track and staying consistent. Athletes at the highest level of their sport take their nutrition seriously all year round and that is what makes professional athletes different from armature athletes. Athletes need to stay consistent with eating good, and the results will show over time. Their bodies will feel better, recover faster and their will improve in different aspect in their sport whether it’s in endurance or strength. Nutrition can make or break how an athlete is able to complete and will allow for them to be able to take the next step during competition. Good nutrition is not hard, all it takes is the want to be the best.