3 Macronutrients Essential for Any Athlete

October 14, 2020

If you’re an athlete or a team manager, you understand firsthand just how important the right meal is to any game or performance. The key to great athletic nutrition is understanding the three major macronutrients and how they affect your body. Let’s take a closer look at how carbohydrates, fats, and protein work together to improve athletic performance.

• Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are your body’s preferred energy source. During athletic performance, your body can quickly break down carbohydrates into sugar molecules, which it can then use for an immediate burst of energy. Some athletes who require a continuous stream of energy during performance (for example, long-distance runners) may choose to consume larger-than-average amounts of carbohydrates the evening before an event to ensure that they have enough energy to help them through the entire race or performance, a process known as “carb-loading.”
• Protein. Protein provides the body with amino acids, an essential building block of muscle. In addition to muscles, amino acids also make up a wide range of important tissues, including those in the brain, skin, and nerves. Athletes who rely on strength for their sport (for example, football linesmen and javelin throwers) should be sure that they’re consuming protein after each meal to maximize muscle growth.
• Fat. Contrary to popular belief, consuming fat won’t necessarily make you fat — though fats do, on average, have more calories than other macronutrients. A small amount of dietary fat is necessary to maintain cell function — so don’t be afraid to consume salmon, olive oil, or other sources of “healthy fat” on your athletic meal plan!

Are you looking for an easier way to keep your professional or collegiate-level sports team well-fed and healthy? Village Catering has a proven track record of providing healthy, personalized catering menus for sports teams of all disciplines. Now is the perfect time to prepare for the fall season by contacting Village Catering and arranging your sports team catering.