There is no one size fits all when it comes to any sort of diet. Every diet is specialized according to the need of an individual. But when it comes to the diet of an athlete, there are certain necessities, according to the needs of their bodies. It is important that most fit athletes stick to some sort of basic rules while setting up a diet for themselves. So, while the FIFA world cup is on, many of us might wonder what the diet of a footballer looks like, which keeps them so energetic throughout the day. Let us look at the kind of diet an active footballer takes on a regular basis to keep them game ready.
Like we said, there is no common diet for every footballer out there, so they tend to eat according to their bodies, requirements, energy levels and most importantly, metabolism. But there are some basic elements that remain common, irrespective of the above-mentioned factors. Let us see what those are.
Carbohydrates
The basic source of energy for human body, carbs are very important for a footballer’s healthy diet. It is the fuel that keeps these athletes going for a long time. There are several myths associated with eating carbs but that does not hold true for football players who need extra energy to commit to the game. Some excellent carb-rich food that the players include in their diet are non-refined ones, which includes pasta, rice, broccoli, potatoes, bananas, blueberries, lentils and yogurt.
Fats
Another misconception is that fats are bad, but in fact, they are a very important part of the diet of footballers. There are healthy and unhealthy fats, and the former helps in nutrient consumption. When consuming fats, moderation is key as the footballers cannot afford fats to slow them down on the field. Some fat rich foods they eat are avocado, nuts, fish and olives.
Protein
Protein-rich poultry dishes are good for muscle building | Unsplash
These were the nutrients that are a major part of the diet. Other than that, hydration is the key to the energy of a footballer. During the 90 minutes of play or even during practice sessions, these players sweat vigorously, which might lead to dehydration. 2-3 litres of water are a must have every day, along with sports drink for extra hydration.
A footballer’s life is as challenging as it is exciting and proper diet is a huge part of it. During the ongoing world cup, many footballers are sticking to these healthy dietary habits and acing their matches.
