What you eat is important for building muscles. No matter your goal, your success really depends on your diet. To have the perfect athlete diet, avoid junk food or, let’s say, foods with no nutritional value.
We struggle to eat well. We can’t always choose groceries, we don’t even know how important good nutrition is, and we are dangerously surrounded by junk food.
Isn’t it surprising how what can absolutely kill us is so affordable and accessible? Welp!
Unfortunately for us, we also need more nutrients. The same way athletes do. They need extra for sports and for growing like we do too. And eating junk food stops us all from getting the nutrients we need to perform well.
The foods below can harm athletes. So, they stay away from it. They can cause poor performance, illness, aches, pain, stiffness, injuries and so much more. Stay with me.
The Key Takeaway.
Bad food choices hold athletes back. Serious athletes avoid these foods.
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Canned Soup.
Canned soup is convenient but is very unhealthy. It’s usually high in sodium, which can cause high blood pressure. Go for homemade soup instead.
Rice Cakes.
Rice cakes seem healthy but lack needed nutrients. They are low in calories but can spike blood sugar. Athletes need better carbs like English muffins or fruit.
Alcohol.
Alcohol kills the liver and offers no nutrients. It can cause hangovers, slow muscle recovery, impair motor skills, decrease strength, and dehydrate you in the fastest and extremest way possible. It also weakens the immune system and slows down healing. Serious athletes avoid drinking too much. In fact, why do people drink so much alcohol anyway?
White Foods.
White pasta, rice, and bread lack nutrients and fiber. They are highly processed and caused energy dips and fast weight gain. Choose whole-grain products for lasting energy. White foods can lead to deficiencies, inflammation, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, and blood sugar problems. And, they are really harmful after exercise as they don’t meet the nutritional needs of an active body.
Baked Foods and Desserts.
Desserts like ice cream, cookies, and pastries are unhealthy. They are highly processed and full of refined flour and sugar. Try healthier options like chickpea muffins or zucchini brownies.
Sweets And Candy.
Candy and foods with dyes, preservatives, refined sugar, and corn syrup are unhealthy. They cause inflammation, insulin spikes, hormone imbalances, and so many other problems.
Sports Drinks.
Traditional sports drinks are unhealthy. They contain fake nutrients, dyes, and lots of sugar. Instead, try natural options like raw coconut water for hydration and electrolytes.
Juices.
Fruit juice can be misleading. It has vitamins and minerals but also a lot of sugar. It lacks the skin and fiber of whole fruit, which are very nutritious. The sugar in juice goes to the liver quickly and can turn into fat. Unsweetened cherry or grape juice can help after a workout, but they are still high in sugar. Most juices are processed and can spike your sugar levels. Juicing your own fruits and vegetables is a wayyyyy healthier option.
Nutrition/Energy Bars.
The problem with most bars be it a snack, protein, or energy is all the added sugars and fats. Obviously protein bars are calorie-dense to help you gain muscle, but if you’re eating them after a light workout, or eating them even if you haven’t worked out, it can easily add up. Same way, nutrition and snack bars tend to be sugar filled with add-ins like nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate. You should go for bars with minimal, pronounceable ingredients.
Energy Drinks.
Energy drinks are harmful. They cause inflammation, hormone imbalances, and they stress your organs.,They also contain preservatives and unnatural sweeteners. Drinking them during sports can lead to deficiencies and serious organ and heart damage.
Deli Meats.
Making lunch at home is great, but avoid deli meats. They have lots of salt and nitrates, and can increase the risk of a heart disease and cancer. Instead, choose rotisserie chicken or cook lean chicken and turkey breasts.
Pretzels.
Pretzels seem healthy but aren’t filling. They lack fiber and fat, and are high in calories and salt. Instead, snack on fruits and veggies for better nutrition.
Sugar.
Sugar is bad for overall health and athletic performance. As mentioned earlier, avoid sweet treats, sugary cereals, and soda. Even diet sodas with artificial sweeteners are not good for athletes. Sports drinks and fruit juices are also high in sugar. So, stick with water as much as possible.
