Overview

The world of sports nutrition can be particularly confusing, due to the conflicting information spread amongst magazines, web-sites, coaches, and friends. In order to boost your athletic performance and enable yourself to train to the best of your abilities, it is essential that you follow a balanced nutrition plan. The truth is that an athlete’s nutritional requirements aren’t much different from a normal, less active individual, yet they must be more consistent and strict in their approach. The most important difference in your nutritional intake lies within your carbohydrate consumption. Carbohydrates are the body’s most efficient energy source and without the support of adequate carbohydrate sources in your diet, you will “hit the wall” much quicker when you workout. Protein is also very important to athletes and their diet. Protein is the single most important nutrient for recovery which acts as fuel for muscle growth and development. Due to the high levels of energy exerted during competition or training, it is extremely important that you properly prepare and replenish your body in order to achieve peak performance. Here are a few helpful guidelines to assist you in your efforts:

• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid overeating fried and processed foods
• Eat tons of fiber
• Be sure to plan ahead. Schedule your meals according to you daily schedule. Plan to eat several times a day using regularly spaced meals and snacks to help meet caloric and nutrient needs.
• Eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates (starches). Starchy foods such as pasta, breads, cereals, potatoes, corn, peas and others provide a major energy source to fuel your activities.
• Drink sufficient fluids to stay hydrated during training and competition periods - don't wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• Eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from all food groups including breads and cereals; fruits; vegetables; meat and meat substitutes; and dairy foods.