Swimming is without a doubt one of the most physically demanding and energy-intensive sports on the planet. It is a physical sport that takes a massive amount of work, muscle coordination, and energy.
Those who swim professionally or regularly must look after their health, and it is critical that they consume a nutritious diet that nourishes them, prepares their bodies for the action, and refills the energy they have lost.
Many swimmers are unaware of the amount of energy their bodies expend during swim practice. Many swimmers don't consume enough calories to power their training and maintain their bodies healthy, which can be a problem.
A balanced meal plan for swimmers, on the other hand, can help you overcome this challenge while also making your life easier. However, in this article, we would like to talk about how a swimmer can meet their energy needs while eating healthy foods that will benefit their progress and performance in the long run.
What Should Swimmers Eat?
Swimmers who exercise for more than two hours each day should eat four to seven light meals each day, according to natural health and fitness experts.
Large meals or eating too much in one sitting will make a swimmer feel weak and impede their performance. Foods that are easier to digest should also be included.
Carbohydrates should account for half of a swimmer's diet since they provide the energy required to get through a tough practice or meet.
Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver and provide the fuel that our bodies need throughout the day, especially during exercise.
That energy source will be deleted after the workout and will need to be replenished. Rice, cereal, pasta, potatoes, beans, peas, and lentils are all rich sources of carbohydrates.
Protein, healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocados, and seeds), vegetables, fruit, whole grains, vitamins, and minerals should make up the other half of a swimmer's diet. This is one of the best diet plans for swimmers to build muscle or to gain weight.
What to Eat Before Swim Practice?
Eat carbohydrates-rich foods like wholemeal pasta, brown rice, and sweet potatoes before your swim practice. For swimmers, this type of meal is a fantastic source of energy.
Carbs take a while to digest, but it will keep them active and allow them to swim longer. Smoothies also help to nourish the body by giving all of the nutrients it may require.
It doesn't put too much strain on the digestive system. To avoid feeling bloated, eat or drink an hour before going swimming.
What to Eat After Swim Practice?
Even if someone is trying to reduce weight, it is vital to eat after swimming for recovery. It's not difficult at all, after each swim practice.
It is vital to feed the body with carbohydrates and proteins within 20-30 minutes of swimming. Light meal options include peanut butter and bread, banana, honey, or oats.
A steak, sweet potatoes or chicken, fish, and an egg could be served as the main course.
Olympic swimmers diet plan
Competitive swimmers can exercise up to 30 hours per week and consume between 6000 and 10,000 calories per day. Some great swimmers may choose a pre-race burger before a competition, but it's unlikely to work for the rest of us.
A diet high in complex carbs (healthy grains, green vegetables, beans, and sweet potatoes, for example) and lean protein (chicken and fish) will provide you with the energy you need in the water.
Aim for half of your meal to be carbohydrate, and include protein (to promote muscle recovery after a swim), veggies, and good fats like avocado, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, or coconut flesh at each sitting.
Diet chart for Indian swimmers
The following is a list of ideal dietary options for Indian swimmers when training for a competition. But don't forget to eat healthy things like fresh veggies, nuts, and fruits as part of the normal diet.
With just a few of the alterations and quantity, it can be changed to a diet for swimmers teenagers.
Water, fruit juice, or a sports drink
Whole wheat Roti with peanut butter
Plain sandwiches e.g. chicken, fish, cheese with salad.
Bananas, grapes, apples, plums, pears, or any seasonal food available
Dried fruit e.g. raisins, apricots, mango
Smoothies
Dry rice cakes with bananas and/or honey/ peanut butter
Homemade besan chilla or moong dal chilla
Protein bars, fruit bars, sesame snaps
Yogurt and yogurt drinks like lassi
Small bags of unsalted nuts e.g. peanuts, cashews, almonds
Vegetable curry with white rice
Final Verdict
A person's diet is vitally crucial whether training for a swimming competition or in general. To help them swim longer, lose weight, and stay fit, they must be cautious about what they consume before and after their swim.
Meeting these energy requirements is critical for good recovery, performance, and progress in the water, which is why one can choose any of the listed options and can modify it to their personal needs.
