EATING LIKE AN MLB PLAYER

5 NUTRITION TIPS FOR ATHLETES

1. FILL WITH CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates are the main fuel of an athlete. Your body changes them to glucose, a form of sugar, and stores it in your muscles as glycogen. When you exercise, your body transforms glycogen into energy.

2. CONSUME SUFFICIENT PROTEIN BUT NOT TOO MUCH

Proteins do not have much fuel for energy, but you need them to maintain your muscles. Instead of protein supplements, eat quality protein, eat lean meats (low-fat meats), fish, chicken, nuts, beans, eggs or milk (milk being one of the best options because it provides a good balance of protein and carbohydrates)

3. DO NOT EXCEED WITH FATS

Most athletes get all the fat they need by following basic dietary guidelines for eating, mainly unsaturated fats from foods such as nuts, avocados, olives, vegetable oils and fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.

4. TAKE A LOT OF LIQUID CONSTANTLY

Intense exercise, especially in hot climates, can quickly leave you dehydrated. Dehydration, in turn, can decrease your performance and, in extreme cases, threaten your life. Sweating eliminates both liquids and electrolytes. Electrolytes help transmit nerve signals in your body. To replenish them, look for sports drinks. If you are also losing a lot of fluid as you sweat, dilute sports drinks with the same amount of water to get the best balance of fluids and electrolytes.

5. REPLACES LOST ELECTROLYTES

Sweating eliminates both liquids and electrolytes. Electrolytes help transmit nerve signals in your body. To replenish them, look for sports drinks. If you are also losing a lot of fluid as you sweat, dilute sports drinks with the same amount of water to get the best balance of fluids and electrolytes.

These tips were taken from WebMD