Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition was originally adopted by professional bodybuilders and athletes to boost their performance in competition. Today, sports nutrition is a core component to even a casual fitness enthusiast’s regimen. If you’re unsure about what sports nutrition products you should be using, read on to learn more about how protein, creatine, amino acids, energy boosters, and weight gainers can help you optimize your workout for greater results.

Sports Nutritional Supplements - Are They Just For Athletes?energ

There is no doubt about the role sports nutrition plays in an athlete's performance. A nutritious diet goes hand-in-hand with meticulous training, optimal sleep, and a healthy lifestyle. But sports nutrition is not just for Olympians, powerlifters, and celebrity quarterbacks. Sports nutrition is for anyone who wants to optimize every workout and maximize results. The right nutritional supplements will help you stay active, maintain an optimal body weight, and achieve your fitness goals. They help bridge the nutritional deficiencies and contribute to overall health. But always remember, supplements are designed to support a healthy diet plan -- they can never be a replacement.

How Can Supplements Help Improve Fitness?

Thanks to the numerous studies and researches conducted, the concrete link between sports diet, training, and performance has been well established. From enhancing performance and muscle building to minimizing deficiencies, sports nutrition supplements can support and assist your diet in a significant way. Further, supplements can give you the boost you need during training and workouts and play a big role in muscle recovery.  

Sport Nutrition Products And Their Advantages

There is no dearth of sports nutritional supplements on the market. The right supplements and nutrition for will depend your personal fitness goals. Do you want to put on weight or do you want to lose weight? Do your want to increase muscle mass or focus on muscle definition? Do you want more energy during your workouts? Do you want to recover quickly after your workouts? Here are some common sports nutritional products and how they can help you achieve your fitness goals.

Protein-Based Products

Whey protein, usually available in powder form, is a core component of many athlete’s post workout diets. It promotes the growth of muscle mass while restricting muscle damage. Usually mixed into a shake or smoothie, whey powder offers a great way to fulfill your daily protein requirement.

Craving a healthier snack in between meals? Many brands of protein bars offer high protein, low carbohydrate, and low sugar snacking. Packed with a wide variety of flavours and ingredients, protein bars aid post-workout muscle recovery, weight loss, and contribute to your daily protein intake. The nutrition bars come in countless flavours, including chocolate, peanut, almond, and even cookie for practically guilt-free indulgence.

Amino Acids

Aptly called the building blocks of life, amino acids play a critical role in your body. The effects of a diet that is low in amino acids lead to muscle wasting, breakdown of the immune system, and loss of mental focus. Amino acid supplements are a must in sports that include intense training and endurance. Pre- and post-workouts are the best time to take these supplements as they contribute to improved muscle strength and faster recovery. Amino acid supplements are available as powders, capsules, and bars.

Creatine

Whether you hit the gym or the track, rigorous bouts of training call for creatine intake. While creatine is naturally produced in the body, intense exertion depletes the natural reserve. Creatine supplements like creatine monohydrate can boost your strength, build muscle mass, and aid in muscle recovery.

Energy-Boosting Supplements

Energy boosting supplements are ideal for helping you get through long training sessions and extended workouts. Available as powders, gels, and tablets, these nutrition products are a time-tested source of energy. Some energy boosting supplements are formulated to amplify your performance, while others help in muscle recovery after high intensity training sessions.

Weight Gainers

Gaining serious muscle mass requires a high calorie diet. Weight gain supplements can help you achieve this high caloric intake. One serving of a weight gainer supplement can contain up to 1,000 calories. It’s usually available in powder form and is formulated with high quality proteins, complex carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids to aid in muscle growth as well as recovery.

Ask Your Doctor

If you are healthy with no medical conditions, you are safe to take most nutritional supplements. However, it is best to consult your doctor and talk in detail about the performance sports nutrition products and the long-term effects it may have on your health before adding any of these supplements to your dietary plan.