When it comes to be a successful lacrosse player, there is plenty of attention given to what happens on the field. After all, you need to put in the time and effort to hone your skills in game-like situations. The preparation doesn’t actually start there, though. It begins the second you wake up in the morning.
To achieve the results you’d like on the field, it’s important to fuel your body for peak performance. Just like the equipment you strap on every day before hitting the field, your body is a tool that’ll help you reach the goals you set for yourself.
So when it comes to how you eat and when you eat, those are details that shouldn’t be overlooked. You want to fill your body with the right food and nutrients that’ll help you feel and play your best.
What are some general nutrition guidelines for lacrosse players to follow? Since athletes are a different breed than others in the fact that they are burning more calories on a daily basis due to training and games, you need to fuel your body a little different. Here are three tips to help you get on your way to a healthy lifestyle catered toward excellence on the lacrosse field.
Lacrosse Athlete Nutrition Tips
Get Plenty of Protein
There are a couple reasons why you need protein as a lacrosse player, or any athlete in general – it can help build up your muscles, but also help you burn fat. Typically 15% of your daily caloric intake should be protein to help give your body the fuel it needs to operate at top performance.
If you’re looking for some foods that are high in protein, make sure to stock up on things like beef, chicken breasts, eggs, beans, pork, seeds, and nuts.
Having “Fat” Isn’t Necessarily a Bad Thing
We live in a society where the “low fat” foods are popular because of the stigma that the word “fat” has. However, it’s important to note that everyone needs fats, and there are healthy fats out there that you can have. As an athlete that’s burning more calories than the average person, ingesting foods that have healthy fats is even more important and you need more of it.
Some foods that are high in essential fats that will provide you with energy while also moving nutritional elements throughout the body include nuts, olives, fish, and avocados.
Take the Right Vitamins and Minerals
Living a healthy lifestyle and in a way that’ll help you reach peak performance on the lacrosse field doesn’t just stop at eating the right foods and participating in a balanced diet. You’ll also need to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin C (which helps the body ward off infection) and calcium and Vitamin D (which can help the bones and joints stay healthy). Also taking an iron supplement can help lax players heal from an injury quicker than normal.
If you’re interested in learning more about our GameBreaker Lacrosse Camps this summer, click here to find a camp near you and be on your way to becoming a better lacrosse player!