The healthiest meal plan for athletes includes specific foods and nutrients to support the body’s physical activity. Athletes should aim to consume one to 1.5 grams of protein for each kilogram of body weight. Protein in foods can be found in legumes, nuts, and dairy products. However, several unhealthily high-calorie foods are bad for athletes’ diets. These include high-fructose corn syrup, processed grains, and starbursts. Let’s find out more about these foods.
High-fructose corn syrup:
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sweetener with the same calories as other added sugars but without health benefits. Big food companies renamed it “natural,” but that doesn’t mean it’s healthier. The amount of fructose in the average person’s diet has nearly doubled since the 1970s, with the average person consuming over 50 grams daily. That is 10% of our daily caloric intake.
Processed grains:
Athletes should limit the number of processed grains they eat. Most of these foods contain little phytonutrients and micronutrients. These foods tend to displace more nutrient-dense foods.
Starbursts:
Athletes are required to eat a balanced diet, and starbursts are one of the worst foods for an athlete. They contain too many calories and are very unhealthy for the body. They’re also loaded with titanium dioxide, which can cause cell mutations and even DNA damage.
Caffeine:
Caffeine has numerous negative health effects and should be avoided by athletes. It increases the heart rate and blood pressure, which is detrimental for athletes. It also increases anxiety and causes problems sleeping. In addition, it drags down an athlete’s performance.
Fruits:
Sugary foods can hinder an athlete’s performance and should be avoided. These foods contain empty calories with no nutritional value, and they cause athletes to “crash” during workouts. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is also bad for athletes because it can promote fat buildup around organs. Moreover, many processed foods are also high in trans fats. It’s better to focus on whole foods low in calories and fat.
Processed cheese:
While indulging in processed cheese as a snack may be tempting, it’s also a bad idea. This is because 75 percent of the population has problems digesting lactose, the primary sugar found in milk. Eating dairy products can leave those with lactose intolerance bloated and uncomfortable.
