Healthista spoke to professional footballer Thomas Hal Robson Kanu who reveals 6 foods that will take your sports performance to the next level, and ensure you’re never running on empty
Have you been watching the Tokyo Olympics in awe of the incredible athletes? Has it inspired you to take your fitness goal to the next level and push harder with your sports performance?
Healthista spoke to professional footballer Thomas Hal Robson Kanu, who reveals how important it is to provide your body with the right fuel through nutrition, in order to keep you performing at your best.
Healthista spoke to professional footballer Thomas Hal Robson Kanu
That means eating lots of foods that provide essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Certain foods are exceptionally good at doing this, and should be making regular appearances in your diet.
Incorporating all of these superfoods into your diet is an excellent way to maintain good overall health and significantly improve your athletic performance.
If these foods make a regular appearance on the menu, you’ll be feeling the benefits in no time.
#1 Nuts
Nuts provide you with a natural combination of protein and healthy fats – they’re an ideal snack for supporting muscle recovery and maintaining energy.
They’re very easy for your body to digest (meaning they won’t upset your stomach) and are also packed with fiber and antioxidants, meaning they’re great for assisting digestion and lowering bad cholesterol.
Each type offers its own unique vitamins and health benefits
The carbohydrates in nuts are also slow releasing, meaning you’re provided with sustained energy levels rather than rapid spikes, which is much better for your body and athletic performance.
You’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to the different types of nuts available, so you’re not likely to get bored of them!
Each type offers its own unique vitamins and health benefits, meaning you can feel free to mix and match.
#2 Berries
Berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, which can help to repair muscle damage after an intense workout. Including berries in your pre and post-workout meals means you’re much less likely to suffer from muscle soreness and fatigue.
When it comes to choosing your berries, try to pick ones with more intense colours – such as blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. These berries are packed with more antioxidants, meaning they’re better for muscle recovery.
help to repair muscle damage after an intense workout
They’re also super easy to include in your daily diet. Throw them into a smoothie, sprinkle them onto your cereal, or even just eat them by the handful.
The vitamins found in berries can also help you to preserve muscle as you age – so they’re a great long term investment for your body.
#3 Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and is massively beneficial for supporting muscle recovery and reducing soreness after a tough workout.
These recovery benefits come from curcumin, which is the main nutrient in turmeric that helps to prevent inflammation.
requires a ‘helper’ like black pepper to support proper absorption
However, turmeric isn’t easily processed by your body. It requires a ‘helper’ like black pepper to support proper absorption, meaning even if you include it in your meals, you’re unlikely to be experiencing the full impact
Luckily, turmeric shots offer an easy way to boost your curcumin intake. This is an all-natural solution that allows your body to quickly absorb the nutrients, meaning you can immediately start to enjoy the benefits!
#4 Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes offer a wealth of benefits to help improve athletic performance. They’re a complex carbohydrate and are rich in fiber, meaning they provide slow-releasing energy that will keep you sustained for longer.
As a post-workout food, they also provide your body with high levels of copper, iron, and various vitamins. All of these nutrients help you to maintain healthy muscle tissue and quickly replenish your energy levels.
Sweet potatoes can also help to lower your blood pressure, contributing to a healthy heart. This is always important for long-term health and athletic performance!
#5 Bananas
Bananas are an excellent post-workout snack, and are perfect for helping you to recover from strenuous activity.
They’re low in calories and high in electrolytes, which need replenishing after any kind of exercise to avoid muscle fatigue and soreness.
the banana will help you to recover your energy before you start exercising again
They’re also high in carbohydrates, meaning they quickly allow your body to restore its glycogen levels.
This is particularly helpful if you’re going to begin another workout within 24 hours, as the banana will help you to recover your energy before you start exercising again.
#6 Quinoa
Quinoa is a true superfood for athletes. It offers high levels of carbohydrates, which are perfect for replenishing your energy levels after a tough workout.
On top of this, it also contains more protein than any other grain, meaning it’s excellent for promoting muscle growth and repair.
it also contains more protein than any other grain
Quinoa also contains a huge number of nutrients and minerals like iron, magnesium and manganese.
These provide your body with all sorts of health benefits, including bone support, increased brain function and body temperature regulation.
If you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, mental health and general lifestyle through the means of functional nutrition, Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu suggests trying an energy-refuelling, brain fog eliminating, health-boosting Raw Turmeric Shot from The Turmeric Co.
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