When it comes to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we all know part of succeeding in the sport isn’t just physical or mental. It also includes your diet. A good diet is key to taking care of your health. Your stomach is not a wastebasket! I’m not saying you can never enjoy some junk food. We all do it, including myself. (I plan on getting a huge slice of pizza right after Pans!) This should not be something you do on a daily basis however. You only get one body and it is important to take care of it.
Do you ever get finished training and just feel exhausted or unwell? Maybe it is what you are eating. You can train as much as you want, but if you are not ingesting the right foods you will never feel as great as you should. I am not a dietician by any means, but I am going to tell you about some superfoods that you should be putting into your diet. What is a superfood? It’s food that has large doses of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols. They don’t just help you in regards to your current health, but they will also help you down the road by preventing conditions as well.
Here are some of the top Superfoods for your diet:
- Tomatoes- They have lycopene. This is an antioxidant that is rarely found in other foods. Tomatoes also contain high amounts of potassium, fiber and Vitamin C!
- Blueberries- They have phytonutrients that neutralize free radicals in your body. They are also said to help prevent cancer. If you are like me and hate blueberries, you can also put them in recipes to mix them in such as smoothies!
- Kale- This green leafy vegetable is not the same as spinach! It contains large amounts of phytonutrients. Also known to lessen certain cancers.
- Black Beans- Protein, protein, protein! One cup contains 15 grams and does not have all the saturated fat that meat contains. These are great if you are a vegetarian. They have lots of fiber, antioxidants, and iron which helps with energy levels.
- Broccoli- This is like the powerhouse of veggies. It contains Vitamin C and lots of folic acid.
- Salmon- Contains omega-3 fatty acids. You need foods that have these because the body cannot produce it on its own. Also contains B vitamins and selenium.
This is just a small list of some of the superfoods you should be incorporating into your diet. There are so many different diets and fads these days; you want to make sure you are eating the right things for training! One point, I cannot stress enough is that exercise (no matter how much) does not outweigh a bad diet. I hear people always make excuses for what they’re eating by saying something along the lines of “well, I am going to do a really hard work out later, so I will burn it off.” That really is not any justification for shoving that piece of cake down your mouth and it is not helping you.
Different people require different diets, especially athletes. Take the time to really look at your diet. Are you getting all the nutrients you should be? Are you eating the right foods? Are you taking in as many calories as you should? Your body deserves to be treated well and respected. I can tell you the long term effects of a bad diet are less than desirable. Eating well can have a big impact on your training and your body will appreciate the right nutrients.
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