What every young athlete needs to know about nutrition myths
Whether or not you are involved in sports, taking care of your nutrition is essential to stay fit and healthy. However, in today’s information-driven society, we unfortunately come into contact with a lot of hoaxes and lies that circulate on the internet. So, in our area of soccer camps, this is what every young athlete needs to know about nutrition myths.
Misinformation is the order of the day. In addition, untrained youtubers and influencers are constantly offering advice that is not backed by any expert. That’s why we need to be especially careful about the content we consume on social media.
The most common nutrition myths
There are an infinite number of nutrition hoaxes, but if we focus a little on the field of sports, we can observe the most common ones. As previously mentioned, it is always advisable to consult an expert.
For example, there are claims that supplements are essential to improve performance. This is not true, as they are only necessary in specific cases such as nutritional deficiencies or particular needs. A balanced diet is sufficient to obtain all the nutrients.
If we read that low-fat diets are better for athletes, we have to make a differentiation. Healthy fats are essential for good health and performance, as well as for absorbing vitamins and taking care of our hormonal system.
On the other hand, training on an empty stomach can negatively affect performance and recovery. And drinking plenty of protein is not key to gaining muscle, but a balance between protein, carbohydrates and fats.
The importance of being well informed about youth nutrition
We are exposed to a bombardment of false and unverified information. And if this is a risk for us, it is even more so for young people. They are in their growth and development phase, and we must pay attention to what they consume about youth nutrition and sports nutrition tips.
It is false that gluten-free diets are better for athletes, and solid foods are actually a better option than protein shakes, although these are convenient from time to time. Eating too much before training can be counterproductive, because we will feel heavier and our performance will suffer. It is better to eat a light carbohydrate and protein meal 1-2 hours before exercise.
Finally, consuming more protein does not necessarily mean more muscle. Building muscle mass is a combination of training, rest and a balanced diet.
The danger of social networks
This section deserves a dedicated entry in our blog. Social networks occupy our daily lives, we are inevitably hooked, both big and small. What is the real problem?
As we have said, the misinformation to which we are exposed is tremendously dangerous in our daily lives. The social networks influence our own political decisions, the way we act towards others, our self-esteem and, as today, our health.
It is good to be distracted, and young people have the same right, but when it comes to social networks, they should have some parental control. It is a very difficult thing to control the consumption of content, as it is something that is very present in our society. We all have an important role to play in this: companies, institutions, schools, families…
This is what every young athlete needs to know about nutrition myths. Although, of course, there are many more myths and hoaxes that we have not addressed. Above all, we reiterate that it is better to consult an expert than to believe for certain everything we see and read on the internet.
