Nutrition for the Martial Artist

Of all the many aspects of the martial arts, a good diet ranks as one of the most important. If you train hard, much of your progress will be dependant on how nutritious your diet is. However hard you train, there is no doubt, your efforts will be far more effective of you are enjoying the benefits of a good diet.

The most important element to consider when discussing a nutritional diet is protein. Protein is the element which repairs all body tissue. The harder you train the more you increase the need for protein, considering rigorous training breaks down essential muscle tissues which must be replaced. Protein is composed of amino acids. Eight are essential to human tissue.

The best protein foods which  contain these amino acids are eggs, milk, most meats, fish and cheese. Whereas second class protein foods include beans, peas and bread, but remember protein is not a strength building food it is for tissue repair. Remember also, just beacuse a little protein is good doesn't mean more is better. lf too much protein is eaten your body will just waste it. About 1 gram of protein to every 2lbs of body weight is the ideal amount, which means if you weigh 10 stones, 70 grams of protein per day would be a sufficient intake.

VITAMINS
Just as protein is the building block of the body, vitamins are the cement that binds the blocks together. The most important thing to bear in mind is, that it is better to take a little of a variety of things than a lot of one thing. Considering this, it comes as no surprise to learn that vitamins work to their full potential when taken as a complete unit. Benefit results from a regular intake of  the basic vitamins such as Vit. A. B. C. D. and E. Foods such as meats, most fruits, wholewheat products and vegetables contain many of the basic vitamins.

COMPETITION PEAKING
If you are a martial arts competitor the most beneficial thing you can do, before a contest, is to up your carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates are energy foods, which when taken into the system will considerably raise the energy level.

The foods which contain the most carbohydrates are, pizzas, chocolate bars, spaghetti, ice cream and whatever is very high in calories. Although, it isn't wise to stick to this diet all the time, because to much fat would be stored by the body. But for short periods, say a week prior to a contest, it would give you plenty of energy for the day of the contest. So remember, a good diet means a good martial artist.

Happy eating.