So Now You Want To Be An Olympian Slideshow
Gabrielle Douglas was the apple of everyones eyes this Olympics, and now many of us have started setting our sights on the beam. For these kinds of athletes, Ryan says that carbohydrates are low on the totem pole, and that foods that are rich in protein, such as the salmon in this recipe, are important because they help gymnasts build their strength.
Hurdling and Sprinting
No one can believe the performances given during these events, and Ryan explains that its because the athletes have fueled up on a perfect balance between protein and carbohydrates to give them the short bursts of energy they need. Along with protein and carbohydrates, iron found in dark leafy greens such as spinach is great for these kinds of athletes because it helps with recovery, and Ryan suggests adding a handful of spinach to a salad when training.
Long Distance Running
Training for long-distance running depletes the glycogen levels, so its important that athletes load up on complex carbohydrates before and after a run to replenish. Carbohydrate-rich foods like the soba noodles found in this recipe are perfect to eat for these types of athletes.
Click here to see the Soba Noodles with Steamed Vegetables Recipe.
Soccer
When the U.S. womens soccer team took home the gold this year, many of us thought about tying up our laces and signing up for the local club team. For team sports, balance in diet is important for training, explains Ryan. Unlike the hyper-vigilant intake of carbohydrates for endurance sports, sports such as soccer require an even combination of healthy fats, lean protein, beans, and carbohydrates. This vegetarian taco recipe has a little bit of everything to help you stay fit, not to mention that its easy to make and delicious.
Swimming
Out of all of the endurance sports in the Olympics, swimming requires the most carbohydrates for training because the body relies heavily on glucose for energy during swim meets. Because the meets can be so intense and scheduled so closely together, Ryan suggests fueling up on a carbohydrate-loaded smoothie like this one to get everything that you need in one shot.
Track and Field
Usain Bolt was the talk of the town during the Olympics this year, and we want to know what hes fueling up on. The newest and hottest drink that these kinds of athletes are gulping down lately is beet juice. Ryan explains that the nitrates found in beets help the muscles use oxygen more efficiently, which helps build up endurance for training and improves recovery afterward.
Triathlon
Athletes training for triathlons require the most nutrients out of all endurance sports, for obvious reasons. Ryan's cereal recipe, with almonds, fruit, and flaxseed, is loaded with foods that play a role in both energizing the body and helping it to recover.