Are you training for a marathon? A weight lifting competition? Or maybe you just want to be on top of your game. No matter what your goal, if you’re an athlete, nutrition is vital to your success. To help top athletes perform, here’s a look at some of the most effective nutritional tips:
Hit the carbs
Carbs are your fuel. When you exercise, your body uses the carbs you eat as energy. If you’re working out more 90 minutes, which most top athletes are, you need more than what’s normally stored in your muscles.
- Expert tip: Carbo-load for three or four days before an event and avoid eating any sugary carbs 30 minutes before you work out as it can cause dehydration.
Drink plenty of water
You need water to stay hydrated. Whether you’re working out indoors or running in 90-degree heat on an outdoor track, you need to drink plenty of water. Aren’t sure if you’re getting enough H2O? Check your urine. If you’re urine is clear, you’re getting enough water. If your urine is darker yellow, you need to up your intake.
- Expert tip: Drink early and often. You should be drinking water long before you’re actually thirsty to stay hydrated through your workout.
Eat fruits and vegetables
The goal should be to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Aren’t sure what a serving is? It’s about the size of a baseball. You need fruits and veggies in your diet to provide energy and also to help your body recover from a tough workout.
- Expert tip: To meet your daily requirements, start your day with fruit to knock out a few servings right away.
With these nutritional tips, athletes can push their bodies in a healthy way to achieve the best results. Try adding these tips to your daily routine.
