Eating Healthy When Stuck at Home
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Eating Healthy at Home
When spending more time at home, it can be easy to fall into the habit of eating more and indulging in your favorite guilty pleasures. While treating yourself every once in a while is okay, consistently grabbing unhealthy snacks may not be best, especially if you want to maintain peak performance when you are ready to get back in the game.
Follow these tips to help you to maintain a healthy diet while at home.
Stock up on Healthy Staples
While it may be tempting to get takeout when stuck at home, you never really know how it’s being cooked or whether you are getting the best ingredients for your health. Instead of ordering fast food or a significant portion of food from a restaurant from takeout, here are some healthy, nutrient-dense staples every athlete should have on hand:
Sources of Protein
Proteins are needed to repair and build muscle. If you are training and working out at home, here are some protein sources that are good to have on hand:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Fish (salmon, halibut, seabass)
- Eggs
- Extra-lean ground beef
- Sliced turkey breast or ground turkey
Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are essential for athletes to fight off fatigue and boost energy. Here are some carbohydrates to keep on your list:
- Oatmeal
- Sweet potatoes
- Beans (black beans, kidney beans)
- Brown rice
- Plain cereal
- Pasta
- Rice
Fibrous Carbohydrates
Fiber is a critical component of a healthy, well-balanced diet, and for athletes, it can help maintain endurance. Here are some fibrous foods to consider:
- Leafy greens like romaine lettuce and spinach
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- String beans
- Bell peppers
- Brussels sprouts
- Celery
- Cauliflower
In addition to the food staples listed above, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, especially when working out or training from home. Staying hydrated can help improve muscle function and circulation as well as regulates blood pressure. It can also help to avoid muscle cramps too.
Dallas and Fort Worth Sports Medicine
Eating healthy has many benefits when it comes to improving your athletic performance. If you are concerned about how to take your athletic ability to the next level, Methodist Health System can help!. See the full list of services we offer orcontact us today to make an appointment!