Every season we see athletes spending more time in the gym or on the field pushing to improve their skills. But we hear less about their efforts to fuel up their bodies before and after those tough workouts – even though diet makes a difference in athletic performance and muscle health. Perhaps, the most overlooked hinderance to success and contributor to injuries is a lack of proper nutrition.
Learn all about whey protein and why it is the best choice for athletes in this video from sports dietitian Tara Boening, M.S., RDN, CSSD, LD.
Boening explains that though it is always best to get your protein from food, like dairy, you can also choose a whey protein powder that is 100% whey protein isolate. She also explains that most people who are lactose intolerant can tolerate whey protein, which contains a very small amount of lactose.
Whether it was a tough workout or race day, get recovery advice from Nancy M. DiMarco, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, FACSM.
“Chocolate milk is a wonderful rehydration beverage because it’s nature’s rehydration beverage,” says DiMarco.
Get all the info on why chocolate milk might be the best choice for your post-workout recovery and learn when and how to refuel with chocolate milk.
Conditions like dehydration and muscle fatigue can really limit your performance levels and zap the nutrients you need to recover from tough training sessions. But proper hydration pre- and post-workout can help you overcome these challenges. Collegiate sports dietitian Sarah Dobkins, M.S., RD, CSSD, shares tips for staying hydrated:
As an athlete, you’ve likely heard the phrase “refuel with chocolate milk.” Maybe you’re one of those athletes who grabs that ice-cold glass of chocolate milk after a strenuous workout. But perhaps you’re asking, “What about white milk?”
Learn how the two compare nutritionally, and when and how you can enjoy them while seeing the nutritional benefits.
Want to take your performance to the next level? Nourishing your body with nutritious foods and recovering properly after workouts can help you reach new heights. But you don’t have to rely on fancy rituals, popular sports drinks or pricey supplements to accomplish this. You can recharge the way nature intended with chocolate milk’s three R’s of recovery:
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons knows the importance of breakfast – he even credits eating breakfast every day for his success!
“Want to know my secret to success? It’s pretty simple: I eat breakfast. I fuel up in the morning with foods full of dairy, whole grains, protein and fruit,” Justin says.
Fueling up with the right foods is important for every NFL player, and breakfast is a big part of what they do to stay healthy. Justin says breakfast keeps him fast, sharp and strong – so be sure you enjoy breakfast every day, at home or at school!
On and off the field, dairy delivers. Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, dairy foods provide carbohydrates needed for energy, electrolytes for fluid balance, and calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Dairy’s high-quality protein is crucial in rebuilding muscle.
Monique Smulders, dairy farmer from the Texas panhandle, has several loves in her life: dairy farming, her family and swimming. Monique is always on the go, but she isn’t just an athlete on the moo-ve – she keeps a whole team moving.
Electrolytes – they can be key to your victory on the field or achieving a new personal record on race day. Ensuring optimal performance is a balancing act of just the right amount of these power particles – but choosing milk as a post-recovery workout beverage makes achieving that balance easy. Let’s explore the science.
