Good nutrition plays an important role in fitness and sport. Here are a few foods that are commonly recommended for fitness nutrition:
- Proteins:
- Chicken or turkey fillet
- Fish (salmon, tuna, cod)
- Seafood (shrimp, mussels)
- Almond or peanut butter
- Eggs (egg whites) 2.
2. Carbohydrates:
- Potatoes (sweet or regular)
- Rice (brown or wild)
- Oatmeal or oatmeal flakes
- Wholemeal bread
- Brownies containing whole grains
3. Healthy fats:
- Avocado
- Olive oil
- Almonds, nuts or other nut mixtures
- Flaxseeds or linseed oil
- Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) 4.
4. Fruits and vegetables:
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Bananas
- Apples and pears
- Broccoli and cauliflower
- Leafy greens (spinach, cardoon, arugula)
5. Dairy products:
- Greek yoghurt
- Cottage cheese (low-fat or skim)
- Milk (skim or low-fat)
- Kefir
- Almond or coconut milk (without added sugar)
6. Nutritional supplements:
- Protein powder (raw or vegetable)
- Creatine
- BCAA (branched chain amino acids)
- Vitamins and minerals
- Omega-3 fatty acids
It is important to remember that every person has different nutrient requirements. It is best to consult a dietitian or nutritionist to develop the best diet plan for your needs and fitness goals.
A sample menu for the week
Below is a sample menu for a week’s fitness diet. These are only general recommendations and you can adjust them according to your preferences and needs. It is also recommended that you consult a dietitian or nutritionist for individual meal planning.
Monday:
- Breakfast: Protein omelette with vegetables (spinach, tomatoes, peppers) and wholemeal toast.
- Afternoon snack: Greek yoghurt with berries and nuts.
- Lunch: Grilled chicken breast with mashed sweet potato and green salad.
- Afternoon snack: Apple and almond butter.
- Dinner: Baked salmon with steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower) and brown rice.
Tuesday:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with berries and honey.
- Afternoon snack: Cottage cheese with nuts and honey.
- Lunch: Greek salad with pieces of chicken fillet and wholemeal flatbread.
- Afternoon snack: Banana and almond butter.
- Dinner: Grilled tuna with vegetables (paprika, onion, courgette) and quinoa.
Wednesday:
- Breakfast: Protein omelette with vegetables (mushrooms, spinach, onions) and wholemeal toast.
- Afternoon snack: Berry smoothie with protein powder.
- Lunch: Mexican salad with beans, avocado, chicken fillet and Greek yoghurt.
- Afternoon snack: Almonds and an apple.
- Dinner: Fried chicken breast with pan-fried vegetables (broccoli, carrots, peas) and brown rice.
Thursday:
Breakfast:
- Two egg omelette with vegetables (paprika, onion, spinach) and wholemeal toast.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice.
Afternoon snack: - Greek yoghurt with sliced berries and sugar-free granola.
Lunch: - Grilled chicken cutlets with vegetable salad (mixed salad leaves, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots) and a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.
Afternoon snack: - Banana.
- Walnuts.
Dinner: - Baked salmon with lemon and green asparagus beans.
- Wholemeal bread.
Snack before bedtime: - Almond butter and apple.
Please note that this is only a sample meal plan. It is important to consider your individual needs, goals and preferences when making your menu for the week.
Friday
Breakfast:
- Two egg omelette with vegetables (spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms) and slices of integral bread.
- Green tea.
Afternoon snack: - Berry smoothie with Greek yoghurt and lean nuts.
Lunch: - Greek salad with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, cubes of feta cheese and a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.
- Baked chicken breasts with spicy herbs.
- Steamed wholemeal rice.
Afternoon snack: - Almond butter and apple.
Dinner: - Grilled beef with mushrooms and onions.
- Steamed broccoli and carrots.
Snack before bedtime: - Greek yoghurt with honey and chopped nuts.
Saturday:
Breakfast:
- An omelette of three eggs with vegetables (tomatoes, spinach, onions) and slices of wholemeal bread.
- Green tea or coffee.
Afternoon snack: - Protein shake with fruit and almond butter.
Lunch: - Greek salad with chunks of chicken fillet, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.
- Steamed potatoes.
Afternoon snack: - Greek yoghurt with berries and nuts.
Dinner: - Grilled tuna with seasoning and lemon sauce.
- Steamed cauliflower and carrots.
Snack before bed: - Steamed cod with olive oil.
Sunday:
Breakfast:
- Two egg omelette with vegetables (peppers, spinach, mushrooms) and wholemeal toast.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice.
Afternoon snack: - Almond butter and apple.
Lunch: - Baked chicken fillet with green asparagus beans and mashed sweet potatoes.
- Mixed salad leaves with olive oil and lemon juice.
Afternoon snack: - Banana and walnuts.
Dinner: - Grilled beef steak with vegetables (courgette, broccoli, carrots) and quinoa.
Snack before bedtime: - Greek yoghurt with honey and chopped nuts.
Again, I stress that this is only a sample menu and you can adjust it to suit your needs and preferences. It is also recommended that you consider your individual calorie and nutritional needs when planning your meals.