Every top-performing athlete is aware that when it comes to getting an edge over their competitors, nutrition is king. Regardless of what your goal may be, whether it is to increase your stamina, or to achieve a six-pack, the gateway to success lies in the food you consume. The diet of an athlete is not just about calories; it is fuel. When you eat the right foods, they will promote muscle growth, increase energy and aid in muscle repair. But, the wrong ones can derail your goals. Some of the top foods that an athlete would and should not eat are highlighted below.
Diet soda
For an athlete, every meal is actually an opportunity for refueling because it drives performance. Therefore, artificial sweeteners cannot be a part of their diet because they do not offer any nutrition. In fact, they can actually increase your risk of health problems and also lead to weight gain. Artificial sweeteners like diet soda trick your body into thinking that you are consuming real food and they trigger your body into producing more insulin.
Canned soup
Even though it is convenient, canned soup is definitely no healthier than other highly processed food items. In fact, some of them are so processed and high in sodium that they do not offer any health benefits whatsoever. While the body does require sodium for proper functioning, too much of it can result in high blood pressure.
Rice cakes
Even though they have had a ‘healthy’ reputation, rice cakes is empty in terms of nutrition. While their calorie count is low, they have a high sugar content. Athletes need calories to keep up their energy levels and rice cakes will only send their blood sugar soaring.
Sugary cereal
While you should not eat artificial sugar, it does not mean that you should consume too much of the real stuff either. Sure, when you are active, you can afford to consume more calories, but this does not mean that you should eat too much sugary food regularly. No athlete will be able to get to the top of their game if they start their day with bowl full of sugar in the form of cereal and marshmallows. Your insulin also goes up due to too much sugar and this pushes the body to store more fat.
White bread
White bread, pastas and rice are acceptable, but not considered ideal because they do not have a lot of fiber or nutrients. Refined white flour is made after the wheat kernel is stripped off the wheat germ, fiber and essential B vitamins. This leaves a highly processed food product that can raise your insulin levels, lead to weight gain and cause dips in energy levels. Whole-grain products are a better option.
Microwave popcorn
This particular item is loaded with sodium, unhealthy fats and even laced with chemicals in some cases. It does not encourage recovery after a workout, nor does it provide an athlete’s body with the fuel they need for a strenuous training session.
