Eating for High Performance

You may wonder how great basketball players keep healthy and fit. Practice and talent are obviously large parts of their success, but it’s also important to eat for high performance. Just like an elite athlete, healthy eating helps you perform at your peak in the gym and at work.

Complex carbs — fruits, vegetables, and whole grains — are your body’s preferred source of fuel and fiber, so try to eat 60%-70% of your calories as carbs. Emphasize breakfast and lunch to maintain energy throughout your day, while keeping dinners smaller.

Hydration. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty — drink water before, during, and after exercise… 1 cup every 15-20 minutes of hard exercise. Sports drinks are usually not necessary unless you’re an intense athlete.

Protein. Although professional players may need slightly more protein during the initial stages of training, most Americans already eat more protein than needed. Adults require only 8% of calories as protein.