|
For an active athlete like a swimmer, it is extremely important to concentrate on your diet. This is because swimming is the kind of exercise that burns maximum calories with seemingly little effort. However, the effort is quite great, even though you may not feel it while swimming, as the water has a tendency to render you weightless. You will always expend more effort than you think while swimming, and it is important for you to remember that simple fact.
For regular swimmers, a high protein intake is absolutely essential. This is because swimming is the kind of exercise which will build up muscles. And protein is required for healthy build up and development of muscles, as muscle mass is mostly determined by protein intake. You should increase your intake of meat, which is one of the richest sources of proteins. While it is always preferable to eat grilled meat, you can also eat it cooked in other ways such as fried or broiled. White meat such as fish, chicken and turkey are the richest sources of protein, and you should concentrate on these rather than red meat, which is relatively higher in fats.
Egg whites are another very good source of pure protein. For most part, it is advisable to avoid egg yolks for the health conscious. But for swimmers, it is perfectly fine to eat yolks as well. This is because the calorie burnout is so high that the extra calories and cholesterol that yolks contain will not really count or contribute to putting on weight on any way. But make it a point not to eat more than six whole eggs everyday. More than that would be too much, especially in addition to all other high calorie foods that you would normally eat.
It is essential to have a high water intake for swimmers. So make sure you get in at least 10 liters of fluid on a daily basis. This will help by not making your muscles cramp. Since muscle development is very quick and high for swimmers, this is a problem often faced by them. High water intake should take care of the problem very effectively. You should also snack on nuts, since they are rich in protein as well as the essential fats required by the body. Simple carbohydrates should also be taken generously. This would include unleavened and whole grain breads, vegetables like potatoes and fruits like bananas and mangoes
|
