Diet Why is diet so important? Many think that they have what it takes to become a professional athlete with skill alone, and this is simply not the case. A professional athlete must be prepared both mentally and physically for sport. If diet is not taken into strict consideration, the human body will not allow for high intensity performance in a professional environment, regardless of skill. You must imagine the athlete’s body as an engine. If you give the engine cheap fuel, it will perform poorly. Same concept for when the engine is given premium fuel, it will perform at its best. “I avoid things that are bad for me like alcohol, sugary sodas and processed foods. “I focus on eating simple whole foods, like fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.” – Cristiano Ronaldo (seen below)

So what should my diet look like? A soccer player's diet should consist of about 60-65% carbohydrate, 20-25% fat and 10-15% protein. Carbohydrates should be predominantly in the form of fresh fruits and whole grains such as whole meal bread, pasta, potatoes and brown rice. Protein should come from lean meats, poultry, fish, pulses, beans and nuts. Alcohol and excess sugars or oils should always be avoided.

Links to more meal examples and tips on foods: https://anniernews.com/7-day-meal-plan-for-professional-soccer-players/ https://www.active.com/food-and-nutrition/articles/10-tips-to-eat-like-a-pro-athlete https://www.uwhealth.org/health-wellness/eating-for-peak-performance/45232

Vasili Voresis takes full responsibility for the information posted. The information on this page represents that of Vasili Voresis and not that of California State University, Sacramento.