Food Nutrients Needed By A Basketball Player

A basketball player just like everybody else must eat a balanced diet for his general health. However, because a basketball player expends a lot more energy, his diet should correspondingly provide his body the correct nourishment to replace the energy that he loses in the course of playing the game.

There are 2 basic food groups that a basketball player should eat: protein and carbohydrates.

Proteins Protein forms a majority of all our body parts and with proper and correct exercise is the foundation for the growth of muscles and strength. The main sources of protein are meat, poultry, fish, milk and milk products. Proteins can also be found in many kinds of vegetables. The plants that provide the most proteins are beans, and legumes and several varieties of nuts like peanuts and almonds. It is estimated that about 10% of our energy needs are supplied by protein.

Carbohydrates. Are essential for the functioning of our brain. Carbohydrates are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. We get our carbohydrates from rice and other cereals and cereal products, like potatoes fruits and pasta dish. Under normal circumstances, half of the body energy requirements come from carbohydrates, but the basketball player by virtue of the energy he requires and expends will need to have 70% carbohydrates in his diet. Fat is essential for our body but too much of it will bring more harm than good.

Before playing.

Eat at least 1 hour before the game. The body needs at least that much time to digest the food that you have eaten. In preparation for the forthcoming game, he should eat food rich in carbohydrates to provide his energy needs.

In the course of the game.

Athletes do not eat in the midst of a competition, but they can eat banana which is rich in carbohydrates to give them instant replenishment of the energy they spent. To replace the water they lost while playing, players can drink fluid in the right dosage.

When the game is over.

After the game, the player should eat protein, then carbohydrates. Protein will help carbohydrates produce the storage chemical of the cell (glycogen) that was lost during a game. It is the glycogen that has glucose that the body needs in its metabolism system. Without these two, the body won’t regain the energy that is lost from the previous game and will contribute to mental and physical fatigue.

Take note that protein and carbohydrates aren’t the only requirements of a player. Exercise is also very important to build muscles, strength and endurance.

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