Healthy foods help active people get the most from exercise. Eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes provides our bodies with nutrient-dense fuel, allowing us to perform at an optimum level.
Powering our bodies with plant-based food provides a wealth of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fibre, while leaving out the harmful saturated fats and cholesterol that animal sources contain. This nutritious diet will allow you to experience reduced inflammation and improved circulation, meaning that oxygen can better access working muscles, providing more energy for optimal performance.
Athletes who eat plenty of whole plant foods will experience quicker recovery times due to the abundance of antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants help to prevent free radicals from causing muscle fatigue.
Eating plenty of whole grains, legumes, beans, vegetables and fruits provides athletes with plenty of healthy carbohydrates, which boost endurance and performance by providing a primary source of fuel during high-intensity workouts.
Fuel up on brown rice, buckwheat, whole grain pasta and noodles, fruits and vegetables.
While protein provides only a minimal source of fuel, it plays an important role in building, maintaining and repairing body tissues, including muscle. A varied diet of plant foods easily provides adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids athletes need.
Fuel up on lentils, black beans, almonds, tempeh and tofu, oats, quinoa and pumpkin seeds.
Healthy fats are an important source of calories for active individuals as these nutrients play important roles throughout our bodies, including assisting with heart health and cognition.
Fuel up on chia, hemp and flax seeds, algae and spirulina, avocados, nuts and nut butters.
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