Whether you’re an athlete or just enjoy physical activity, injuries are sometimes an unavoidable part of sports and exercise. While a well-balanced, nutritional diet can help accentuate a healthy lifestyle, it cannot prevent injuries or improper training. Poor nutrition can lead to a deficiency in physical condition, increasing the risk of injury. Fatigue is a prime example; a fatigued athlete is susceptible to a higher risk for an exercise-related injury. With good nutrition and a balanced diet, athletes are subjected to help injury prevention, as well as assist with expediting the recovery time during any injury sustained.
The main goal is returning to the desired sport as quickly as possible. However, this is not always the case. While in remission, athletes must take several steps to continue good health and help prevent unwanted weight gain. Below are a few tips to help maintain a healthy diet and body upkeep while injured.
Consuming calories IS extremely important for healing. If a sufficient amount of calories are not consumed, the athlete may withstand a slower recovery process. However, the athlete must be cautious of a high caloric intake. Since he/she is less active, the calories consumed are not burned off as easily and may accumulate over time. In return, the athlete is more vulnerable to weight gain and also the possibility of a slower recovery period.
In some sports, athletes need to have a high caloric intake. They tend to consume high-calorie items such as sports drinks, shakes and bars throughout training. During recovery, these items should be consumed less frequently. Supplemental items, such as whole foods, should be ingested during this time frame. These items include lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats.
Just like in our food pyramid, sugary foods and “bad fats” should be consumed sparingly. This is crucial during our recovery. As previously stated, an athlete is less active during this time and must watch their caloric intake. Foods with high amounts of sugars and fats have fewer nutrients and tend to “sit” on our body if not worked off through some form of exercise.
Depending on your injury, some vitamins and supplements can aid in the healing process. Consult with a medical professional to find the best supplements, as well as those to avoid.
At the Center for Athletic Performance, our mission is to help you obtain your goals. Whether it’s recovering from an injury or reaching new athletic heights, our staff is here to assist. You will find that the professionals at the Center will treat you with the utmost care and expertise. Give us a call today!