Sports Nutrition

Get The Edge On Competition During Sports Nutrition Month

 
sports nutrition

Dried Nuts

In support of Sports Nutrition Month, Moms Team interviewed me! Thanks, MomsTeam for allowing me to participate in this important event.

Whether you are an active child or adult, you can attain a competitive edge by fueling your body with nutrient dense foods that make you go faster, harder and longer.

 

5 Tips To Optimize Sports Nutrition And Performance


1. Stay hydrated

Drink water or naturally caffeine free tea. If you want to learn about the benefits of drinking tea, read about the different varieties (green, black, herbal, white, Oolong, mate, rooibos).

2. Replace electrolytes with healthy dairy products.

These could be Greek yogurt, 2% >cottage cheese or any cheese, butter especially ghee and fruits and vegetables. Avoid sugar-laden drinks like Gatorade. Sugar-laden drinks have a dehydrating effect on the body and thus hinder sports nutrition.

3. Build and repair muscle with protein and micronutrients.

4. Get Adequate Sleep

Sleep and rest support mental focus on your goal and help muscle repair itself.

5. Eat A Balanced Diet

Eating a variety of healthy foods from all food groups will supply your body with healthy fats and carbs, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

Antioxidants are particularly important but often forgotten in sports nutrition. Cellular oxidation occurs regularly. The benefits of exercise are well established but the free radicals and oxidation that are produced as a result of carbohydrates and fats converting into energy are not good for you.

Avoiding sports and activities are not an option. You can supplement them with antioxidants as a good addition to your eating routine to minimize exercise-induced oxidation.

Eating foods with high ORAC, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, (Antioxidant support and free radical damage fighters) can protect against exercise-induced oxidative damage. These foods include:

  • broccoli
  • cocoa (dark chocolate)
  • Elderberry, blue and other berries
  • spinach
  • tea
  • tomatoes
  • wine

For a more extensive food list, read Dr. Weil’s list.

Green drinks are a good supplement to increase ORAC in your daily food plan. Greens plus certifies its ORAC values at approximately 20,000 units/serving. They claim, “a synergy of 29 nutrient-rich Superfoods, Sea Vegetables, and High-Energy Herbal Extracts. One daily serving of Greens Plus Wild Berry Burst delivers the antioxidant equivalent of more than five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables.”

Sports Nutrition Wrap Up

Fill every month and every day with a competitive edge. Supply your body the fuel that will take you to the next level. If you take care of your body, it will take care of you!

What do you eat or do to get to the next level of your sports nutrition and fitness goals? Let me know in the comments below.

About the author

Valerie Goldstein

Valerie raises the bar for health and nutrition know how with unconventional expertise and unconditional support for wellness.

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