When it comes to nutrition, tennis players do not follow the same pattern as those on a regular diet. This is because what they eat determines their performance on a large scale.
Hence, tennis players need to put extra effort into checking out what goes into their bodies because it can improve or deteriorate their performance with time.
Here are some nutrition tips for tennis players
Remain hydrated
If you’ve ever wondered why many sportsmen including tennis players love to hold water bottles, it is because they need sufficient water to remain active.
With proper hydration, you will be able to keep playing for a long time without getting extremely tired.
Water helps you to prevent cramps and many heat-related illnesses that come with intense play. Additionally, taking much water is one of the ways to preserve your strength all through the gameplay.
Take moderate fats
Tennis players need the energy to remain active for a long time and they can get this from fat. However, it must be taken moderately.
Even though fats are not the primary energy source of a tennis player, it helps them to play long matches. Additionally, fats are useful in sustaining the player’s appetite so that they don’t get hungry while playing.
Take enough carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the best source of energy as they provide fuel for organs, the brain, and the muscles. When you take carbohydrates, they are stored in the body as glycogen.
If a low amount of carbohydrates is taken, it can cause glycogen depletion which can cause fatigue on the court. Therefore, tennis players need to ensure that Carbohydrates constitute around 60% of their diet calories.
Take proteins
Tennis players who are looking to recover fast need to take proteins. Proteins are the building block for enzymes and hormones that control metabolism and other functions in the body.
Little proteins can cause weakness, poor recovery, tiredness, and injury. According to the rule of thumb, proteins should be about 10-15% of the diet calories.