With the MLB All-Star Game coming to Phoenix next week, we’re sure that pictures of athletes will soon be swarming your television screen and newspaper pages. If you’re curious how these sports stars maintain their muscular physique, local Naturopathic Doctor Suneil Jain has a few tips as to how you can eat like an athlete.
Have a whole food diet. Reduce the intake of refined processed foods. Whole foods typically do not contain added ingredients, such as sugar, salt, vitamins or fat. Also, be sure to avoid refined sugar. Only consume sugar from natural sources such as fruit and vegetables.
Drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes. Instead of popular sports drinks like Gatorade or PowerAde, athletes should instead drink coconut water. Coconut water has a mix of electrolytes which helps the body absorb water better.
Eat good quality protein from fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Meat contains protein that is complete (a complete protein contains all of the essential amino acids) which allows your body to use it to repair and rebuild damaged muscle tissue after a workout. Unfortunately, meat is also sometimes high in saturated fat so if you’re a big meat eater, concentrate on eating lean meats such as chicken, fish and some cuts of beef.
Eat dates before competition or exercise. Dates are digested very easily therefore they are good for supplying quick energy. They are known to be an excellent cure for intestinal disturbances. Dates also have the ability to regulate a healthy nervous system, thanks to the rich potassium content.
How to Eat Like an Athlete
