Eat like an athlete
Spread the love

It is said that if you have a body, you are an athlete. The only difference is that some are training while some are not. That makes all of us an athlete. Many people would question this; are we really athletes? The answer is, yes. To have an athletic body, we not only need to workout and exercise adequately, but also adopt a diet that reflects one which represents a true athlete diet.

While some of us have found the hidden athlete in us, the remaining ones still need to find an athlete in themselves. So if we are an athlete, we should eat and workout like an athlete. But what does an athlete eat?
Following are some of the tips if you want to eat like an athlete:
Break the Fast:
Breakfast is the most important meal not just for an athlete but for all individuals. People who skip breakfast are more likely to overeat during the day. It prepares us for the day ahead. It is very important to have a healthy breakfast within half an hour of waking up because your body is in a state of fast for the past 10 hours and your blood sugar is extremely low. Start your day with something rich in energy that provides you with the much needed energy to kickstart your day. Avoid caffeine in the morning. Go for a glass of orange juice and a bowl of oatmeal. Eggs are also a healthy and delicious option to adopt for breakfast, and they offer a great deal of versatility in the way they can be prepared. They’re rich in protein, and help you give you the nutrition and satiety to prevent you from overindulging unnecessarily throughout the day. It is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get nutrition for athletes and makes the best breakfast for athletes.

Hydrate Yourself:
You must be knowing that water makes up more than 60% of human body so drink enough water to maintain that balance. People who are not hydrated enough are more likely to overeat. So drink lots and lots of water. It is essential in maintaining normal amounts of body fluids. Water not only aids digestion, plays a vital role in homeostasis of body fluids but also helps in detoxification of toxic substances. Water is a great alternative to unhealthy drinks that only damage your body. It promotes diuresis and rids the body of noxious particles. Stay away from sugar-rich and energy drinks, as they do nothing to contribute to your health. Rather, they harm you in the long run.

Eat Smart:
Eating smart is the key to a healthy diet. Eating smart is all about making smart choices. After all, you need to eat to perform. A balanced diet means eating all groups of food in right proportions and amounts. A person’s diet should include a healthy combination of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Absolutely cutting on any of these components disturbs the normal balance of human body. Eat healthy foods, go for fresh fruits and vegetables and stay away from junk food. So next time you go for eating out, dump your ham and cheese burger for a bowl of yoghurt or a bowl of salad. Stay away from fast and fried foods. Avoid beer as much as you can. Have your last meal at least two hours before going to bed.
Carbohydrates for the win!
An athlete has to spend a minimum of five to six hours doing high-intensity workouts! So if you want to be as fit as an athlete, it is essential to exercise daily. As it is impractical for an average person to work out as much as an athlete, they should at least follow a high-intensity workout regime for thirty minutes to an hour at minimum.
It won’t take rocket science for you to figure out that if you are going to spend an hour lifting weights or running on a treadmill, you will need the energy to build some stamina to last through the routine. The best diet for athletes in one that incorporates carbohydrates. It is recommended to have a carbohydrate rich meal an hour or two before exercising to sustain through a hard workout. However, it should also be considered that the carbohydrate content should come from a healthy source, rather than junk food as to not make you too lethargic to exercise! A great high carbohydrate meal is a cup of oatmeal, which can also be taken in breakfast, as it has slow releasing carbohydrates which can provide energy throughout the day. Most fitness experts also eat a banana right before hitting the gym and recommend having a protein shake after their workout to keep those muscles building.
While it is important to eat right and drink lots of water, exercise is as important as them. Eating healthy food is of no use without exercising regularly. To maintain an athletic body a person should exercise regularly as well as vigorously. It keeps your body in shape, enhance your stamina and improves blood flow throughout your body. So understand your body, eat healthy, stay away from addictive, hydrate yourself, exercise regularly, find the athlete within you and most importantly love yourself and love your body. Self acceptance is necessary, and one should establish goals for themselves that are challenging and attainable simultaneously.


Spread the love

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here