Many athletes have good goals in mind. It may be preparing for a great game or a big race. Unfortunately, a few of them understand the importance of nutrition to their performance. As a result, they’re vulnerable to mistakes that make them fail to achieve their goals.
Just like taking beta-alanine can boost your athletic performance, excellent nutrition is essential for optimal performance.
This article highlights some nutrition mistakes that you want to avoid to become an excellent athlete.
- Underfuelling
Underfuelling is one of the most popular mistakes that athletes make. That’s because they don’t know how to balance exercise and energy intake in the middle of a training session. It may also come because of a suppressed appetite.
It’s advisable to eat when working out, even if you aren’t hungry. That’s because if you don’t get enough fuel, your glycol levels may drastically reduce. Taking smoothies and shakes can be helpful because they’re easier to digest than solid food.
Dietitians recommend eating three meals a day and snacks in-between, depending on your training intensity and schedule. The meals should include proteins, fat, starch, and fruits or veggies. The snacks should have a mix of carbs and proteins. A good example is cheese, bananas, and crackers.
If you can’t get the right food combination, it’s best to visit a dietitian. These professionals will assess your performance, energy levels, cravings, and appetite and craft an appropriate food plan for you.
- Taking Low Sodium
It can be difficult to balance sodium levels in the body. However, it’s vital for an athlete’s body because of its electrolyte role. Adequate sodium aids in nerve transmission, fluid balance, and muscle contraction. There’s no doubt that most Americans already have enough sodium in their diets. However, some athletes are mindful about limiting their sodium intake.
This may be disastrous because it can cause an imbalance in the system. When you run or work out, you lose sodium through your sweat. When this happens, you should replace it to regain balance. And because athletes use more energy than the average person, they require more sodium intake.
Fortunately, you don’t have to use sodium supplements because you can find sodium in your food. Most foods purchased at the grocery store naturally have sodium. It’s advisable to add salt to your food while cooking to avoid buying low sodium foods at the store. That’ll give you enough supply. Alternatively, you can use drinks containing sodium to replace electrolytes if you’ve exercised for more than an hour.
- Eating Less Carbohydrates
Most athletes tend to limit carbohydrate intake in their foods because they don’t want to add weight. However, your muscles require glucose for energy. This makes carbohydrates an integral component of an athlete’s diet.
Athletes should eat at least two cups of cooked grain and some starchy snacks or fruit in every meal. This can be difficult to know without the help of a skilled dietitian.
Bottom Line
Attaining athletic excellence requires determination, discipline, and effort while working out. But to achieve your goals, you need to eat healthy. These are but a few nutrition mistakes that you should avoid if you want to become an excellent athlete.
