You need balance, speed, endurance and stamina to play basketball, and proper nutrition fuels your body and enables you play the game to the best of your ability. Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet, and the right choices will give you the energy and nutrients your body needs to hit the court.
Protein is one of the most important nutrients for basketball players because it helps your body repair muscles and maintain a healthy fluid balance. It also gives you the energy you need to play the game. A high-protein snack fuels your body and prepares you for vigorous activity on the court. A handful of nuts supplies a good amount of protein. Try almonds, walnuts or peanuts for protein-rich snack. A lean turkey or chicken sandwich made on whole-grain bread also provides a healthy amount of protein. A glass of milk, a carton of yogurt or cheese cubes are additional snacks high in protein.
Carbohydrates are digested quickly and provide you with the fuel your body needs to play basketball. A snack that includes carbohydrates can also help prevent fatigue and injury, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes. Eat a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Melt shredded cheddar cheese on a whole-wheat tortilla for another healthy snack. Drizzle honey on a slice of whole-wheat bread or have a few whole-wheat crackers with low-fat cheese. Energy bars or granola bars can also be a healthy choice. Look for bars high in fiber and low in sugar.
Potassium is essential while you play basketball because it keeps your muscles working properly. If your body loses too much potassium through your sweat, you can experience muscle cramps. Low potassium can also cause heart irregularities, Colorado State University reports. Drink a glass of orange juice or eat a banana or plain baked potato. Each of these snack choices contains enough potassium to replenish what you lose while playing basketball. Apricots, prunes, raisins, carrots, tomatoes, avocados and nuts are additional snacks that supply potassium.
A fresh fruit smoothie right before practice or a game supplies a good amount of carbohydrates and potassium. Add protein powder to the smoothie to help fuel your body for the play time ahead. String cheese supplies calcium, which keeps your bones strong, as well as protein. Trail mix provides protein, potassium and unsaturated fats, which help keep your heart healthy enough for playing basketball. Fig bars, fresh oranges and fresh vegetables are additional snacks that provide the nutrients you need to perform well on the court.
Articles For Your Diet
- Basketball player portrait on black background image by Albo from Fotolia.com