Authored by Rodhe Sport Athletes (RSA)
You get out, what you put in. This statement embodies what our mentality towards nutrition should be as athletes. We can’t expect high-level results if we aren’t maintaining high-level nutrition. In this post, we’ll look at some best practices for improving dietary habits for athletes.
EAT!
Often times we find that the issue is not how much athletes are eating, but how little. At every level, athletes have busy schedules. It can be difficult to find time for meals between work, studies, and extra-curriculars, but skipping meals is detrimental to the growth and development of any athlete. The nutrients you consume on a daily basis are your fuel. Just as a car won’t go anywhere without gas, you won’t be able to effectively train or compete without certain nutrients. Record a daily food log and schedule time to prepare meals in advance to ensure you aren’t skipping out on much needed fuel.
Learn To Cook
One of the most valuable skills you’ll ever learn. Not only does cooking make meal prep easier, but it helps lessen the burden of food expenses. Microwave meals and TV dinners offer almost no nutritional value, and can become expensive over time. On the collegiate side, recruiters often showcase the wide selection of pizza, burgers, and fries to prospective athletes. Don’t fall into this trap. Raw meats and fresh vegetables are the best option for athletes looking to save money and eat healthy. Skip the canned stuff and start cooking eggs, lean meats, and fresh vegetables on a daily basis.
Understand the Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is a popular ‘extra-curricular’ in the sports world, specifically with collegiate athletes. While drinking is not one of the seven deadly sins, it does severely affect our bodies in a negative way when it comes to training. Aside from the obvious dehydration, your body will have to eventually metabolise the alcohol. This limits your liver’s ability to produce glucose, which is essentially your body’s energy. Low glucose/blood sugar = low energy when training.
In the end, it’s up to you to be responsible for what you’re fueling your body with. You don’t put diesel in a Ferrari.