While the American 7s Football League is a separate sport, there are obviously similarities with the NFL. The various teams and players who make up the competition are dedicated to their craft, though it’s fair to say they don’t have access to the same facilities and resources as American football players. As such, players need to focus even more on aspects like their diet.
After all, for A7FL players to be at the peak of their powers, putting the good stuff into their bodies is essential. We aren’t talking about junk food, but more of a balanced diet that athletes around the world tend to stick to. For fans who select their NFL fantasy teams and indulge in football betting, they perhaps aren’t aware of the various sacrifices players have to make when it comes to the food they consume. It’s a real commitment, especially for players who adore dirty burgers and loaded fries.
So, with NFL players everywhere sticking to strict diet plans as they aim to reach the top of the sport, below we highlight some tips many of the American 7s Football League’s athletes could also consider adopting. While the two sports are different in many respects, the athletes taking part in both pastimes still require calorie-dense dishes, protein-packed meals, and more.
Carbohydrates
First and foremost, to aid muscle recovery and provide a strong dose of energy, athletes must consume a good amount of carbohydrates. In the NFL, some of the biggest and best players on the planet need large bowls of carbs before and after their training sessions, with whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and fruits being particularly popular. Ingredients you can create a wide range of dishes with, carbohydrates can give you the fuel you need to produce match-winning moments and feel at the top of the your game.
Protein
Protein is essential for players looking to nail hard hits and feel strong. NFL athletes consume a lot of it, perhaps through fish, turkey bacon, and eggs. Aiding recovery and essential for building and repairing the muscles that are so crucial to the sport, any broken down tissue or aches and pains can be aided by a consistently large serving of protein. A key part of most peoples’ diets anyway these days, all of American 7s Football League’s athletes should eat protein on a daily basis.
Healthy fats
There are plenty of fats in some of the foods people know and love, but they aren’t always healthy fats. Sure, players could destroy three cheeseburgers before a training session or devour a whole pizza before a big game, but it’s the type of fat that would lead to a lack of energy and a general feeling of lethargy. As such, healthy fats need to be consumed instead, with these much-needed fats helping to reduce inflammation in the body and give athletes the sustained energy boost they crave. Healthy fats tend to come from the likes of avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
Hydration
Alongside the food NFL professionals eat is the large amount of water they drink. Also consuming sports drinks, hydration is absolutely key here. On the whole, NFL players tend to drink around two liters before games, while also consuming around a liter or two during games. While everyone is different, drinking about two to three liters of water a day is essential for most professional sportspeople.
Snacks
Alongside the main meals they consume, snacks are also an understandable preference for many NFL players. While Cheetos need to be avoided, there are some healthier alternatives to consider munching on, including peanut butter, protein bars, and beef jerky.
