While hitting the gym each day and diversifying your exercise routine with conditioning, Muay Thai, boxing and Jiu-Jitsu to make you a more well-rounded fighter, there are other steps you can take to improve your physical condition. A proper diet will make your body stronger and you will be able to work harder and suffer fewer injuries.
The old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is not just an old wives' tale. Studies show that athletes who have a balanced breakfast a few hours prior to exercise perform better than those who either skipped the meal or made poor nutritional choices. Always opt for a solid mix of healthy carbs and proteins. Some options include scrambled eggs with vegetables and a side of oatmeal or whole grain toast. You can also add a breakfast shake with peanut butter, organic soy milk, banana and other fruits.
Because MMA fighters expend so much energy, it is imperative that they fill their diet with plenty of healthy carbohydrates. These are known as complex carbohydrates and these foods are converted into glycogen by the body. This glycogen can help your if you need a quick burst of energy, and the leftover glycogen is stored in your muscles for later energy output. Poor carbohydrates, also known as simple carbs, provide a quick sugar spike but not energy is stored for later usage.
Most vegetables contain these complex types of carbohydrates, so you can pretty much eat all you want. Keep in mind that a few veggies are calorie-rich, such as potatoes and yams. Fruits are sugar-rich, but it is a much healthier sugar than processed sugars. Consider eating fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, bananas and plums. Whole grains such as millet, oats and brown rice as well as pasta made out of whole wheat or whole grain are good choices. Try to choose foods in their natural state, rather than those that have been processed.
You don't have to down raw eggs like Rocky Balboa to be a great fighter, but you do need to eat a good amount of protein. Protein helps your body heal and promotes muscle repair, so obviously this nutritional element is important for those in MMA. Eggs are a great source of protein, as is fish and low-fat types of dairy. Lean meat is another protein option, but opt for smaller portions and buy grass-fed beef or perhaps even buffalo meat, as this is far better for your body.
Athletes talk a lot about bulking up on protein, and protein is important because it keeps your body strong and aids in recovery. However, you shouldn't have protein be the majority of your diet, as everyone's body needs a balance of foods. There are many excellent sources of proteins, including eggs, low-fat yogurt and lean meats and fish. When you opt for animal products, select the highest quality meats possible. Grass-fed beef is far better for you, as the animals are fed a healthier, more natural diet with less corn and fillers.
While you can certainly enjoy a little bit of junk food from time to time, keep in mind that heavily processed foods have little to no nutritional value. So every time you put junk in your body, its ability to perform and heal is diminished.
The old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is not just an old wives' tale. Studies show that athletes who have a balanced breakfast a few hours prior to exercise perform better than those who either skipped the meal or made poor nutritional choices. Always opt for a solid mix of healthy carbs and proteins. Some options include scrambled eggs with vegetables and a side of oatmeal or whole grain toast. You can also add a breakfast shake with peanut butter, organic soy milk, banana and other fruits.
Because MMA fighters expend so much energy, it is imperative that they fill their diet with plenty of healthy carbohydrates. These are known as complex carbohydrates and these foods are converted into glycogen by the body. This glycogen can help your if you need a quick burst of energy, and the leftover glycogen is stored in your muscles for later energy output. Poor carbohydrates, also known as simple carbs, provide a quick sugar spike but not energy is stored for later usage.
Most vegetables contain these complex types of carbohydrates, so you can pretty much eat all you want. Keep in mind that a few veggies are calorie-rich, such as potatoes and yams. Fruits are sugar-rich, but it is a much healthier sugar than processed sugars. Consider eating fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, bananas and plums. Whole grains such as millet, oats and brown rice as well as pasta made out of whole wheat or whole grain are good choices. Try to choose foods in their natural state, rather than those that have been processed.
You don't have to down raw eggs like Rocky Balboa to be a great fighter, but you do need to eat a good amount of protein. Protein helps your body heal and promotes muscle repair, so obviously this nutritional element is important for those in MMA. Eggs are a great source of protein, as is fish and low-fat types of dairy. Lean meat is another protein option, but opt for smaller portions and buy grass-fed beef or perhaps even buffalo meat, as this is far better for your body.
Athletes talk a lot about bulking up on protein, and protein is important because it keeps your body strong and aids in recovery. However, you shouldn't have protein be the majority of your diet, as everyone's body needs a balance of foods. There are many excellent sources of proteins, including eggs, low-fat yogurt and lean meats and fish. When you opt for animal products, select the highest quality meats possible. Grass-fed beef is far better for you, as the animals are fed a healthier, more natural diet with less corn and fillers.
While you can certainly enjoy a little bit of junk food from time to time, keep in mind that heavily processed foods have little to no nutritional value. So every time you put junk in your body, its ability to perform and heal is diminished.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias likes writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For additional information about jiu jitsu lessons in San Diego or to find a San Diego mixed martial arts gym, visit The Arena MMA, website now.
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