The Athletes' Diet

Following a good diet is important for everyone. However, the type of diet you should follow depends greatly on the goals you want to achieve. For athletes, getting the right amount of protein and carbohydrates is very important, as these can be seen as the oil and petrol that keep the body running.

• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Quality and Quantity
• Eight examples of healthy food
• Conclusion

Carbohydrates

The more you exercise, the more carbohydrates you use. As a result, most of what an athlete eats consists of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates can be found in fruit, pasta and grain products. Sugar is also a carbohydrate, but it should be avoided.

Unfortunately, carbohydrates also have a downside. Carbohydrates that are not used are stored as reserve fat. That is why it is important to keep track of how many carbohydrates you use and how many you consume, so you can find a healthy balance.

Protein

Protein is used to repair muscles. It can be found in meat, fish, dairy products and bread. The amount of protein needed varies from person to person. However, an average person needs 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. Highly committed athletes may need more than this.

 

Quality and Quantity

With a healthy diet, variety is just as important as what you eat. Despite what many people may tell you, bread is perfectly healthy, as long as you do not eat it with every meal, every day.

It is also important to eat regularly. Doing so makes you less likely to reach for something unhealthy, such as a bag of sweets or crisps. Eating regularly is also good for your metabolism. 

Have a look at the Wheel of 5 as well for a good balance and variety in your meals.

Eight examples of healthy food