Soccer Diet - Pre/Post Game Meals

A soccer player will constantly look after improving his or her body, increasing its maximum potential and forcing it over the natural "limit" that the average human body possesses. This is done through hard training and professional athletes spend most of their careers improving themselves, training out at some extent almost every day of the year. With that much effort comes an equally high energy consumption and that's where a diet will come in.

Unfortunately, it's not just a case of "work more, eat more". In order to keep your body healthy and keep yourself in optimal shape for soccer, you'll want to hit two important points with your soccer diet: high energy and healthy nutrients.

High energy can be obtained through a diet which is rich on carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the main fuel and energy source of the body and you'll need loads of them if you want to keep up with that heavy rhythm of soccer training and matches that you're likely to be involved in. But like I said, you can't simply solve this issue by eating more, since you'll also have to be very careful on what you eat.

Eating foods rich in healthy nutrients will be a problem, because there's a lack of options when it comes to food that is also very healthy and contains a good amount of carbohydrates. You'll also want a soccer diet containing good amounts of proteins. Proteins help with muscle growth and with strength becoming an increasingly important issue in soccer, you'll probably want to get your muscle mass to a reasonable level.

Unfortunately you'll stumble upon an issue regarding proteins as well: the problem is that most foods that contain proteins (different types meat or animal products for the most part) also have a large quantity of fats. Some of these fats are useful and even essential for the body, but others can be problematic.

Animal fat for example, clogs up arteries and hinders blood flow, which not only lowers your performance, but may also cause you serious problems later on, including a higher risk of heart diseases. Again, getting a balanced protein/fat diet is essential for a soccer player and for any other type of athlete for that matter.