Food Tips For The Basketball Player
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When it comes to eating to keep healthy, a basketball is no different from you and me. But since the sport burns a lot of energy, players should eat more foods that contain the right nutrients that will give him the energy to sustain his fuel requirement - but still balanced to attain optimum use.
An active basketball player must have a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates.
Proteins Protein forms a majority of all our body parts and with proper and correct exercise is the foundation for the growth of muscles and strength. The main sources of protein are meat, poultry, fish, milk and milk products. Proteins can also be found in many kinds of vegetables. The plants that provide the most proteins are beans, and legumes and several varieties of nuts like peanuts and almonds. It is estimated that about 10% of our energy needs are supplied by protein.
Carbohydrates. The human brain needs carbohydrates to function normally. The main depositories of carbohydrates in our body are the liver and muscles. Foods that contain carbohydrates include rice, bread, root products, fruits, honey and jams, and pulses. Carbohydrates should supply 50 percent of our energy needs however, since a basketball player requires more fuel to keep him in the game, some sports nutritionists require players to have 70 percent carbo diet. As always, fat is needed but should be minimized.
Prior to the game.
You must not have a heavy meal at least an hour before a game. This gives the body ample time to digest the food before using it during the game. The diet must be heavy on carbohydrates to have the extra energy needed for the heavy activity.
During the game.
Basketball players are not supposed to eat during a game, the exception being banana that can give them instant energy to replace what they have lost. Regularly drinking fluid during the game helps the player to bring back the water he has lost from the game.
When the game is over.
The players should eat food rich in protein and carbohydrates after playing. This is because protein helps facilitate carbohydrate to replenish the storage chemical of the cell of the body called glycogen. Glycogen in turn contains glucose that is essential in the body metabolism. These two will provide the energy needed by the body lost during a game, otherwise it will not be able to recover from its weariness and exhaustion.
A player should not be concerned with his food and food supplements alone. He needs regular exercise as well to stay in good physical condition befitting an athlete.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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