Being a good sportsman does not depend solely on skills on the field. Nor does it depend on mental health, which is fundamental. We are talking about nutrition, an aspect that must be taken care of just like the others. That is why, on this occasion, we are talking about good meals before and after the games.
We can not only worry about getting energy before the games, but also about recovering properly afterwards. Our muscles suffer and we also lose a lot of water, so we need to pay special attention.
In our case, we are mainly talking about soccer, although these recommendations can be used for other sports and activities. Above all, the most important thing is to always consult a nutritionist or expert, as the physical constitution of each individual, as well as their needs and context, can vary.
When talking about energizing meals before a match, we can recommend above all meals rich in protein and carbs. We need longer-lasting fuel, that’s why lean proteins from turkey or chicken are good. But we can also opt for whole-grain toasts, peanut butter, greek yoghurt (light yet energizing), brown rice or veggies.
Our aim is to perform at our best, not to feel tired. It is also important to eat foods that do not cause heavy digestion. We want to feel energised but light.
At this point, what we want is to recover without resorting to unnecessary fats or industrial pastries. We want healthy fats, proteins, good nutrients that help the muscles to recover.
For example, we can opt for grilled salmon, egg omelet, spinach, cottage cheese, pinneaple, almonds, nuts… Any combination of these will be positive, and of course we can continue to eat turkey or chicken, as well as whole-grain toasts, avocado or broccoli.
Just as we should stretch or warm up before and after, we should also eat the right food at the end. This way, we will be better able to face the next exercises coming up in the next few days.
In another post we talked about the importance of constant hydration. This should be a rule for all athletes, regardless of the sport they practice.
In the camps that you can find at Soccer Camps Pro we take great care that our participants always have water at their disposal. You should drink before, during and after exercise.
Normally it is recommended to drink about two litres of water a day. But we have to take into account that if we do sport we lose water through sweat, so we have to recover it.
Here are some tips on good meals before and after the games. As mentioned, it is always best to consult a specialist or expert.
For more information about our camps, feel free to check the website.