11 Foods to Include in Your Athletic Diet

Whole Eggs
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and are among the healthiest foods on the planet. One egg contains all the nutrients and building blocks required to grow an entire baby chicken..think about that one. Eggs are loaded with high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and various trace nutrients.

Wild Salmon
Eating Salmon is one of the most nutritious types of fish to add to your diet. Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is also very rich in protein and contains an assortment of anti-oxidants.

Mixed Nuts
Consuming mixed nuts – almonds, walnuts, cashews hazelnuts - helps provide the body with mono and polyunsaturated fats, proteins, fiber, vitamin E, zinc, potassium, manganese, and copper. Nuts also provide dietary fiber to benefit your digestive tract.

Grass-Fed Red Meat
Red meat is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and various other nutrients that can have a profound effect on health. Red meat is also rich in important nutrients like creatine and carnosine. Meat that comes from animals that have been naturally fed and not pumped full of drugs and hormones is a healthier alternative to processed and factory farmed meats

Spinach
Like other dark greens, spinach is an excellent source of beta-carotene – a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant. Spinach possesses several important phytochemicals that help to prevent age-related macular degeneration. Spinach is also rich in calcium, vitamin C and potassium.

Broccoli
The benefits of broccoli are quite numerous. Broccoli is a powerfood and stands amongst vegetables as the most concentrated source of vitamin C. Broccoli contains high levels of calcium, and vitamin K which are important for bone health.

Quinoa
Pronounced “keen-wah”, this seed is a great source of protein and rich in riboflavin. One particular notable is that Quinoa contains Iron. Iron helps keep our red blood cells healthy and is the basis of hemoglobin formation. Iron carries oxygen from one cell to another and supplies oxygen to our muscles to aid in their contraction.

Tomatoes
Lycopene, a phytochemical responsible for tomatoes red color, is thought to have a cancer protective effect. Tomatoes also contain other protective mechanisms, such as antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory functions.

Oats
High in complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber, oats are great for a sustained energy source without the crash. Oats also contain globulin, a legume-like protein that can help boost the immune system.

Carrots
Each cup of raw carrots provides you with 408% of the Daily Value for Vitamin A, 12% of the DV for Vitamin C and 20% of the DV for Vitamin K. Vitamin A is needed for healthy vision, immune function and proper cell division.

Berries
Rich in anthocyanins, research suggests that these chemical compounds have several positive effects on the body; they lower blood pressure and make blood vessels more elastic.