It is vitally important for athletes to maintain a healthy diet in order to be successful. Athletes need to eat a variety of foods that contain carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to achieve a balanced diet that provides them with energy, endurance, and strength. Drinking plenty of water is absolutely essential as well. While there are many foods that are good choices for athletes, read on to learn about four of the best foods for an athlete to consume.
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Whole wheat pasta is a great food for athletes. After eating whole wheat pasta, the body actually burns more fat as it processes the pasta which is important for athletes trying to stay in shape. In addition, it is an extremely filling food so it stays in an individual’s system for a long time. This is why many athletes will load up on pasta the evening before a big game. It is vital that it is whole wheat pasta, however, to get the added nutritional benefit of vitamins.
Salmon is a super food for athletes. It is common knowledge that athletes require protein to help keep their muscles strong and salmon is rich in protein. Additionally, it contains omega-3 fatty acids which have a variety of benefits for athletic individuals. Omega-3 fatty acids help with heart health which is vital for athletes to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Additionally, it has been shown to help with lung function and in turn breathing.
Blueberries have a variety of health benefits that are particularly significant for athletes. Blueberries have actually been proven to improve vision which is vitally important for athletes. In addition, they have an extremely high content of antioxidants which are great for the immune system and get rid of free radicals. Recent studies have also revealed that blueberries may improve overall mental health which is not necessarily athlete specific, but an added benefit nonetheless.
Low fat granola is another food that is great for athletes. It is important to note that is must be low fat, however, since regular granola tends to have a very high fat content which is not good for most athletes. It is great for the heart and the digestive system but most significantly it helps provide long lasting energy and endurance for athletes. It is also helpful in weight loss because it helps an individual stay full longer and most athletes carefully monitor their weight.
While there are many food choices available for athletes, the four aforementioned options should be serious considerations for any dedicated athlete.
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