Eating the right foods is essential to athletic performance. Most people know that food provides athletes with the energy and nutrients required to reach their peak performance, but the variety of misinformation on the amount of protein an athlete needs is staggering.
Protein is only part of the power
Traditionally eating a protein rich diet was thought to be synonymous with building muscle. We now know that this is misguided information, and that the best sports diet contains adequate but not excessive protein to build and repair muscle tissue, produce hormones, boost immune system and replace red blood cells. During exercise the muscles use carbohydrates as their primary energy source – not protein. Thus it is important that athletes, including athletes in explosive sports, eat adequate carbohydrates before, during and after exercise. Protein, while vital to a healthy diet, will not bring them to victory on its own.
source-healthcastle.com
