Check out this infographic for foods to boost athletic performance. Read about how athletes achieve peak performance by training and eating a balanced diet including a variety of foods in this printable fact sheet.

The WAVE Sport Nutrition Curriculum uses youth's interest in sports to teach them about healthy eating and hydration to fuel a healthy, active body for life. Learn how nutrition before, during, and after sport competitions can improve athletic performance.

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Fueling Your Adolescent Athlete. Taking Dietary Supplements? Active bodies need protein to help repair and grow muscle fibers stressed during activity. Protein foods include lean meats, poultry, fish, dairy, soy and nuts.

The expert panel in the Nutrition Today report notes that research consistently shows that 0. This means if you weigh pounds, you should aim for between 83 and grams of protein daily.

Spread your intake of protein out through the day, with an emphasis on a good dose of 20 to 30 grams post-exercise to support muscle repair and growth.

The journal Nutrients published research in that supports the post-workout recommendation of about 30 grams of protein. You can fulfill it with 4. Fats, especially monounsaturated fats , are an essential source of energy. They support healthy skin and hair, brain cell growth and absorption of essential nutrients.

Be cautious with fat, however, as eating a lot of it — especially prior to practice or a game — can make you feel sluggish. Fat slows digestion. When you eat fats, choose avocado, nuts, olive oil or fatty fish.

You don't usually find doughnuts, white bagels or greasy hash browns on a quality diet plan for an athlete. Exactly what you eat for breakfast depends on personal preferences, when you plan to train and how many calories you need per day.

General recommendations usually include whole grains, such as whole-wheat breads and pancakes or oatmeal; eggs and lean meats for protein; low-fat dairy, such as milk or yogurt, for calcium; and fruit for important vitamins and antioxidants.

Read more : 14 Power-Packed Breakfasts to Power You Through the Morning. Breakfast doesn't have to consist of traditional "breakfast" foods, either.

A turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread, leftover salmon and a sweet potato, or pasta with grilled chicken and roast vegetables are all good choices. Don't skip lunch , even if it's your time for training. Eat a small portion before you work out and the rest afterward to ensure you get the calories and nutrients you need.

Lunch can look traditional, with sandwiches, salads and soup, or be a combination of snack-like foods such as nuts, seeds, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, cut-up vegetables and hummus. Skip the fast-food burgers, hot dogs and fries.

Even if you worked out earlier, these foods have too much salt and saturated fat to support healthy physical performance — no matter how many calories you burned. And if you plan to work out after lunch and before dinner, a fatty meal can impair later performance. A good, balanced dinner consists of 4 to 5 ounces of lean protein, a cup or two of green leafy vegetables and quality carbohydrates, such as white or sweet potatoes, rice, quinoa or pasta.

Dinner is a good time to load up, but don't overstuff yourself or it might interfere with sleep. If it's been several hours since your last meal and you're heading to practice, have a light snack in the 30 to 60 minutes prior to working out.

This could be something as simple as an energy bar, banana or toast with a light smattering of nut butter. Between meals, the best snacks for athletes are quality foods that combine protein and carbohydrates.

Go for items such as peanut butter and jelly on whole-wheat bread, yogurt and fresh fruit, or a smoothie made with protein powder, fruit and milk. How you arrange your meal plans should vary according to when you exercise, if you work out or practice more than once per day, your size and your preferences.

You have many options for eating healthfully and getting the nutrients you need. The exact quantity of food depends on your metabolism, your size and when you're in training — if it's game time or heavy competition season, you may need larger quantities than in the off-season.

Read more : Is Morning or Night the Best Time to Lift Weights? If you practice before the sun rises, you may not have time to eat a full breakfast before you exercise. But you've gone several hours without eating, so you need something before you hit practice. A possible meal plan for an early morning workout day includes:.

If you have a lunchtime practice, you might be tempted to skip the meal altogether. You should load up at breakfast with a good to calories, but skip greasy fried foods so as not to sabotage your workout in a few hours.

Split your lunch so you eat one-third to one-half of it before your workout and the rest afterward as a post-workout meal.

For example:. How you eat the day leading up to practice or your event matters. You need two to three hours to digest a full meal before an athletic event ; small snacks of to calories can be eaten in the hour before game time, however. Eat plenty at meals, but avoid overeating.

You may load up more in the morning and lighten up as practice or game time approaches:. Vegetarian and especially vegan athletes — who don't eat any animal products whatsoever — are at risk of nutritional deficiencies if they don't carefully plan their meals.

They may be short in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, iodine and vitamin D, explains research published in a issue of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. A possible vegan nutrition plan for a day would entail:.

Some people may find that consuming meals too close to the beginning of exercise can cause digestive discomfort. It is therefore important to eat an appropriate amount and not exercise too quickly after eating.

People who are training or racing at peak levels may find it challenging to consume enough food for their energy requirements without causing gastrointestinal GI discomfort, especially immediately before an important workout or race.

For example, the ISSA highlights the importance of hydration and carbohydrate loading for competitive swimmers. At the same time, it emphasizes consuming easily digestible carbohydrates, such as bananas and pasta, prior to events to avoid GI discomfort. Athletes may need to work with a sports nutritionist, preferably a registered dietitian , to ensure they consume enough calories and nutrients to maintain their body weight, optimize performance and recovery, and plan a timing strategy that suits their body, sport, and schedule.

Athletes need to eat a healthy and varied diet that meets their nutrient requirements. Choosing whole grains and other fiber -rich carbohydrates as part of a daily diet generally promotes health.

However, immediately prior to and during intense trainings and races, some athletes may prefer simpler, lower fiber carbohydrates to provide necessary fuel while minimizing GI distress. The following is an example of what an athlete might eat in a day to meet their nutritional needs.

Breakfast: eggs — either boiled, scrambled, or poached — with salmon , fresh spinach , and whole grain toast or bagel. Lunch: stir-fry with chicken or tofu, brown rice , broccoli , green beans , and cherry tomatoes cooked in oil.

Dinner: a baked sweet potato topped with turkey, bean chili, or both, served with a watercress , peppers, and avocado salad drizzled with olive oil and topped with hemp seeds.

Snacks are an important way for athletes to meet their calorie and nutrition needs and stay well fueled throughout the day. Options include:. Athletes need to plan their diet to optimize their health and performance. They should consider their calorie and macronutrient needs and ensure they eat a varied diet that provides essential vitamins and minerals.

Hydration and meal timing are also vital for performing well throughout the day. Some athletes may choose to take dietary supplements. However, they should be mindful of safety and efficacy issues and ensure that their sporting association allows them.

Both amateur and professional athletes may benefit from consulting with a sports nutritionist to help them plan the optimal diet for their individual needs and goals. Many athletes look for safe and efficient ways to boost their performance.

In this article, we look at six vitamins and supplements that may help. Diets particularly suitable for athletes are those that provide sufficient calories and all the essential nutrients.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Why is diet so important for athletes?

Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Louisa Richards on April 20, Importance Macronutrients Other nutrients Calories Meal timing Tailoring nutrition Example meals Summary Athletes will have different nutritional needs compared with the general public.

Why is nutrition important? Micronutrients, supplements, and hydration. Sufficient calories. Meal timing. Tailoring nutrition for sport type. Meal examples.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Diets for athletes: Meal delivery brands Diets particularly suitable for athletes are those that provide sufficient calories and all the essential nutrients.

In general, you are better off drinking fluids to stay hydrated. Usually, you can make up for any salt lost in sweat with sports drinks or foods you eat before, during, and after exercise. Speaking of dehydration , water is as important to unlocking your game power as food.

When you sweat during exercise, it's easy to become overheated, headachy, and worn out — especially in hot or humid weather. Even mild dehydration can affect an athlete's physical and mental performance.

There's no one set guide for how much water to drink. How much fluid each person needs depends on their age, size, level of physical activity, and environmental temperature. Athletes should drink before, during, and after exercise.

Don't wait until you feel thirsty, because thirst is a sign that your body has needed liquids for a while. Sports drinks are no better for you than water to keep you hydrated during sports. But if you exercise for more than 60 to 90 minutes or in very hot weather, sports drinks may be a good option.

The extra carbs and electrolytes may improve performance in these conditions. Otherwise your body will do just as well with water. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks or juice because they could give you a stomachache while you're training or competing.

Don't use energy drinks and other caffeine -containing drinks, like soda, tea, and coffee, for rehydration. You could end up drinking large amounts of caffeine, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Too much caffeine can leave an athlete feeling anxious or jittery.

Caffeine also can cause headaches and make it hard to sleep at night. These all can drag down your sports performance. Your performance on game day will depend on the foods you've eaten over the past several days and weeks. You can boost your performance even more by paying attention to the food you eat on game day.

Focus on a diet rich in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat. Everyone is different, so get to know what works best for you. You may want to experiment with meal timing and how much to eat on practice days so that you're better prepared for game day.

KidsHealth For Teens A Guide to Eating for Sports. en español: Guía de alimentación para deportistas. Medically reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD. Listen Play Stop Volume mp3 Settings Close Player.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Eat Extra for Excellence The good news about eating for sports is that reaching your peak performance level doesn't take a special diet or supplements. Athletes and Dieting Teen athletes need extra fuel, so it's usually a bad idea to diet.

Eat a Variety of Foods When it comes to powering your game for the long haul, it's important to eat healthy, balanced meals and snacks to get the nutrients your body needs. Vital Vitamins and Minerals Besides getting the right amount of calories, teen athletes need a variety of nutrients from the foods they eat to keep performing at their best.

Calcium and iron are two important minerals for athletes: Calcium helps build the strong bones that athletes depend on. Calcium — a must for protecting against stress fractures — is found in dairy foods, such as low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Iron carries oxygen to muscles. To get the iron you need, eat lean meat, fish, and poultry; leafy green vegetables; and iron-fortified cereals. Protein Power Athletes may need more protein than less-active teens, but most get plenty through a healthy diet. Carb Charge Carbohydrates are an excellent source of fuel.

Fat Fuel Everyone needs some fat each day, and this is extra true for athletes. Skip the Supplements Sports supplements promise to improve sports performance. Ditch Dehydration Speaking of dehydration , water is as important to unlocking your game power as food.

Game-Day Eats Your performance on game day will depend on the foods you've eaten over the past several days and weeks. Here are some tips: Eat a meal 3 to 4 hours before activity.

Include plenty of carbs and some protein but keep the fat low. Fat takes longer to digest, which can cause an upset stomach. Carbs may include pasta, bread, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid sugary foods and drinks.

The keys to peak nutrition performance aimed to complement your training and competition are reviewed below. The energy needs of athletes exceed those of the average person.

The amount of energy found within a given food is dependent on the macronutrient carbohydrate, protein and fat content of the item. Carbohydrates serve as the primary source of energy during activities of higher intensity. Healthy carbohydrate food sources include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, breads and pastas.

Dietary fat also plays a key role in helping individuals meet their energy needs as well as supporting healthy hormone levels.

Healthy sources of fat include nuts, nut butters, avocados, olive and coconut oils. Limit use of vegetable oils such as corn, cottonseed or soybean oil. Dietary protein plays a key role in muscle repair and growth.

Preferred sources of protein include lean meats, eggs, dairy yogurt, milk, cottage cheese and legumes. Make a plan to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.

The goal is to eat at least five servings per day, and include varieties of fruit and vegetable color. One serving is approximately the size of a baseball.

Fruits and vegetables are filled with the energy and nutrients necessary for training and recovery. Plus, these antioxidant-rich foods will help you combat illness like a cold or the flu. Choose whole grain carbohydrates sources such as whole-wheat bread or pasta, and fiber-rich cereals as power-packed energy sources.

Limit the refined grains and sugars such as sugary cereals, white breads and bagels. You'll benefit more from whole-grain products. Choose healthy sources of protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, peanut butter, eggs, nuts and legumes. Stay hydrated with beverages, as a two percent drop in hydration levels can negatively impact performance.

Options include milk, water, percent fruit juice and sport drinks. However, realize that sport drinks and percent fruit juice tend to be higher in overall sugar content and, in the case of fruit juice, lack many of the health benefits present in its whole food counterpart.

Also, be sure not to confuse sports drinks such as Gatorade with "energy" drinks such as Red Bull and similar beverages. Stick with whole food options as much as possible as opposed to highly processed foods.

Without adequate calories from the healthiest food sources, you will struggle to achieve your performance goals. Plan a nutritious meal by choosing at least one food from each category. Healthy fat. Adequate hydration is a key element in sports performance.

Most athletes benefit from developing a personal hydration plan. A general rule for training is to consume a minimum:. Four to six ounces of fluid every 15 minutes of exercise. To properly assess, weigh yourself immediately prior to and after a workout.

Finding a diet plan that is safe, effective, and sustainable can be challenging, especially for athletes. This is because what you put on your plate can have a big effect on physical performance, and you may need to tailor it to fit your specific fitness goals.

Fortunately, there are plenty of diet plans and programs out there, with suitable options for every athlete. The Mediterranean diet is modeled after the traditional diet of countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece. It limits processed foods and encourages you to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with heart-healthy fats like olive oil , nuts, and seeds.

These foods are rich in many nutrients that are especially important for athletes, including iron, magnesium, and calcium 1. Shop for the book here.

Also sometimes referred to as semi-vegetarianism, the flexitarian diet is focused on plant-based foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. However, unlike vegan or vegetarian diets, it also allows moderate amounts of animal products like meat, fish, and poultry.

According to one review, plant-based diets could help improve body composition, enhance blood flow, decrease inflammation, and increase storage of glycogen, which is a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles that can be used as a quick source of energy 4.

It can also help reduce several risk factors of heart disease. This could be especially beneficial for men because they may be at a higher risk of developing heart problems 6 , 7 , 8.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet is a heart-healthy eating plan originally developed by the National Institutes of Health. The diet promotes nutrient-dense whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low fat dairy.

Not only is the DASH diet well rounded and rich in important nutrients, but it may also be especially beneficial for female athletes, who are typically at a higher risk of developing bone disorders like osteopenia and osteoporosis 9.

In fact, the DASH diet encourages followers to eat foods high in calcium, such as low fat dairy, to promote bone health. Studies have shown the DASH diet may help increase bone density 10 , The paleo diet is based on the presumed eating patterns of ancient hunter-gatherers during the Paleolithic era.

The diet is rich in animal proteins, fruits, veggies, and healthy fats but eliminates processed foods, grains, legumes, sugar, and most dairy products. Because the diet is typically high in protein , it may be a good option to help increase muscle growth when combined with strength training Multiple studies have even shown that eating high amounts of protein may reduce fat mass and improve body composition 13 , 14 , If you find that the paleo diet is too strict or difficult to follow, there are also several variations available, including modified versions of the paleo diet, which allow gluten-free grains and grass-fed butter.

Noom is a mobile app diet program that is designed to help you achieve long-lasting, sustainable weight loss by promoting behavioral changes. When you sign up, it asks a series of questions to collect details about your current diet and lifestyle.

This may make it a good option for athletes looking for a more personalized approach that takes their training into account. Membership also includes access to your virtual coaching team, which provides extra social support and motivation.

Instead of omitting certain foods altogether, Noom encourages followers to eat nutrient-dense ingredients like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Because the program is completely virtual and requires only a smartphone, it could also be a great choice for athletes with a busy schedule. Get started with Noom here.

The Nordic diet is an eating pattern based on the traditional diets of Nordic countries like Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

It emphasizes local, sustainably sourced foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, seafood, low fat dairy, and legumes and restricts foods that are processed, refined, or high in added sugar. Because the diet permits many foods that are rich in carbohydrates, it can provide plenty of long-lasting energy for endurance athletes In fact, experts often recommend high carbohydrate foods that are easy to digest, such as fruit or yogurt, for endurance athletes to help fuel the muscles during exercise Not only does the Nordic diet encourage these foods, but it also promotes foods rich in protein and healthy fats to help round out your diet.

This meal delivery service company is specifically designed for athletes and offers entrees that include lean proteins, complex carbs, and nutritious veggies. The company uses high quality ingredients, including organic produce, wild-caught seafood, grass-fed meat, and free-range chicken.

The service also caters to several diet patterns. It offers paleo, keto , vegan, and vegetarian plans with flexible subscription options. For a simple way to squeeze more protein into your diet during training, you can order individual items à la carte, including protein packs that contain prepared meat, fish, or poultry.

Get started with Trifecta here. Green Chef is a great option for athletes hoping to improve both their cooking skills and physical performance by enjoying more healthy, homemade meals. Each meal includes a list of ingredients and detailed nutrition information, which may be useful for athletes who are keeping tabs on their macronutrient intake.

You can also select your meals each week to create your menu, allowing you to choose options higher in protein, carbs, or healthy fats, depending on your fitness goals.

Get started with Green Chef here. With so many different diet plans and programs out there, finding an option that works for you can be challenging.

For example, endurance athletes may benefit from consuming more carbohydrates, whereas eating more protein may help build muscle mass when coupled with resistance training Finally, be sure to avoid any overly restrictive programs.

In addition to making it more challenging to meet your nutritional needs, they can also be more difficult to follow and unsustainable in the long run.