Best foods for athletic performance

Best foods for athletic performance

Athletes are often pushing their bodies further than the average person, looking to achieve maximum performance and reach some seriously impressive physical goals. Wholefoods are your friend when it comes to fuelling your body, and different foods carry different benefits for stamina, strength, energy and recovery.

Athletes are often pushing their bodies further than the average person, looking to achieve maximum performance and reach some seriously impressive physical goals. Wholefoods are your friend when it comes to fuelling your body, and different foods carry different benefits for stamina, strength, energy and recovery.

Healthy carbohydrates

When you’re engaging in high-intensity exercise, carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy, so it’s important to keep fuelled with healthy carbs. Eating plenty of good carbs, like vegetables, whole grains and legumes, helps sustain the demands of regular training, and leaves protein free to repair muscle tissue.

This Falafel with Hummus is an excellent source of good carbs, as well as protein and healthy fat.

Chicken

Naturally high in protein and low in fat depending on which part you eat, chicken is a popular and versatile choice for athletes everywhere. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle, and chicken is a complete source of protein, meaning that it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs.

Try our Garlic & Herb Chicken Thigh with Harissa Roasted Carrots, which is also gluten friendly, or Teriyaki Chicken on Rice for a perfectly balanced and satisfying meal.

Almonds

Small but mighty, almonds are a great source of healthy fats, and are also packed with protein and fibre, which makes them an excellent snack to help keep your energy levels up between workouts. The antioxidants in almonds also support overall health.

We think you’ll love the spiced almonds on our Smoked Beef Brisket – they’re the perfect garnish on this protein-rich dish.

Eggs

Packed with good stuff like healthy fats, protein, vitamins and choline, which makes them an ideal food for endurance, eggs are almost tailor-made for supporting athletic performance. They’re also a source of magnesium, which helps with recovery, and they’re surprisingly low in calories too.

A Mozzarella, Spinach & Salsa Verde Omelette makes a delicious and healthy breakfast, and this Frittata with Bacon, Courgette & Feta is a great nutritional powerhouse for before or after a training session.