Eating healthy is hard. Really hard. There are a million different diets out there and people love to tell you their opinion on what you should and shouldn't be eating. It's enough to make your head spin! But don't worry, we're here to help. Here are the top 5 nutrition tips for CrossFitters, so you can focus on your WODs and not worry about what's for dinner.
1. Get Enough Protein
Protein is essential for building muscle, and as CrossFitters, we want to be strong! Make sure you're getting enough protein by incorporating lean meats, dairy, beans, and nuts into your diet. And if you're looking for a quick and easy way to get your protein fix, try adding a scoop of protein powder to your shakes or smoothies.
2. Eat Your Veggies
We know, we know. You're not in kindergarten anymore and you don't have to eat your veggies if you don't want to. But trust us when we say that they're good for you! Vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will help keep your body healthy and performing at its best. So go ahead and load up your plate with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale...your body will thank you later.
3. Watch Your Carbs
Carbs get a bad rap these days, but they're actually an important part of a balanced diet. Just be sure to watch your portion sizes and choose complex carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, and brown rice over simple carbs like white bread and pasta. Complex carbs take longer to digest so they'll give you sustained energy throughout your WODs.
4. Stay Hydrated
This one should be a no-brainer but we often forget how important it is to drink enough water throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. So if you weigh 200 pounds, you should be drinking 100 ounces of water each day. And make sure you're drinking even more water than that if you're working out regularly!
5 . Limit Alcohol Intake
We all like to enjoy a glass of wine or beer after a long day (or week) at the gym but did you know that alcohol can actually dehydrate your muscles and delay recovery time? So if you're looking to improve your performance in the gym, it's best to limit your alcohol intake or cut it out completely. Cheers!
If you want to perform at your best in the gym, following a healthy diet is key. But with so many different diets out there, it can be tough to know where to start. Use these 5 nutrition tips as a guide to help you make smart choices that will fuel your workouts and help you recover quickly afterwards. Just remember...eat more kale!