If there’s one thing martial artists should take seriously, aside from training well, it’s eating properly. Getting the right food in your body is even more important for athletes who need extra help to recover from rigorous training sessions.
While making sure to eat healthy food is the way to go, you may want to look into adding more superfoods to your diet. Superfoods are particularly nourishing foods that contain a huge level of the vitamins and nutrients that the body needs. Certain superfoods include combinations of these nutrients that may be beneficial for martial artists. Here, we have outlined five awesome superfoods that martial artists should eat:
Cactus Fruit
Cactus fruit is rich in antioxidants that the body needs to prevent cell damage. It is also known as the number one fruit in the world that effectively combats inflammation, making it an essential food to include in every athlete’s arsenal. Furthermore, it is filled with taurine, which is not available in other fruits and vegetables.
Coconut Water/Milk
The water or milk from coconuts is rich in electrolytes and other minerals that your body needs to function at its best. When this is combined with cactus fruit, you create a potent smoothie!
Leafy Green Vegetables
Naturally, vegetables are full of lots of nutrients that the body needs. Greens are rich in phytonutrients and phytochemicals that help protect the body from disease. Vegetables also have anti-inflammatory properties, making them vital for your post-workout recovery. To make sure that you eat enough leafy green vegetables every day, you can prepare a vegetable smoothie mixed with a fruit or two to make sure that your body gets all the good stuff it needs on a daily basis.
Fresh, Slow-pressed Juice
The body is made up of 70% water, and one way to make sure that you are well-hydrated is to include fresh, slow-pressed juices into your diet. Vegetables and fruits in juice form also make it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients into the bloodstream.
Tart Cherries
Tart cherries are rich in antioxidants. Eating a few handfuls of tart cherries for a fruity, nightcap snack can speed up the recovery process, as it also contains melatonin which is essential for a good night’s sleep.
As a martial arts practitioner, what does your training diet consist of?
