Do athletes really lead healthy lifestyles: 2 factors that make you wonder

Many people used to think that professional athletes follow a strict diet without any relaxation. But it turns out that even during competitions and training camps, when the diet is of great importance, these principles are often not observed. We have found some evidence of this.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation OP Commission on Physical Culture and Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle, Scientific Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

During the Swimming World Cup in the Olympiysky swimming pool, the whole color of world swimming could be found in the same fast food: from Michael Phelps to Evgeny Korotyshkin.

To maintain good physical shape, it is important for athletes to follow a certain diet. But due to high loads and stress, many neglect these rules. For example, Russian gymnast Lyaisan Utyasheva admitted that 15 years ago she ate sweets for sports depression and gained more than 20 kg.

Harmful snacks as a source of additional calories

For example, in the field of martial arts, there are many who violate the diet. So, the legend of wrestling, three-time winner of the Olympic Games Alexander Karelin prefers Caucasian cuisine and believes that a wrestler should eat a lot and hearty.

We observe the same thing with swimmers. The fact is that during swimming calorie consumption increases significantly – trainees need energy not only for physical activity, but also for maintaining body temperature in the water. At the same time, the appetite increases noticeably. That’s why after training many people snack on whatever comes to hand.

Elena: I studied at the Academy of Physical Culture in a mixed group “wrestlers, shooters and gymnasts”. And I was very surprised when I saw swimmers after training in a cafe with fast food. Yes, yes, athletes are no strangers to fast food, and they often consume it with great pleasure and in large quantities.

Why professional athletes often eat pizza (especially after competitions), told in the article.

Harmful habits from childhood

Among gymnasts, acrobats, dancers, there are a lot of ulcers, the expert notes. Athletes of “early specialization” face the need to control weight and nutrition from childhood. But often parents do not have time to keep track of what and when their child eats. Here comes the temptation to “catch up” before or after training bars. Sooner or later, eating dry food leads to gastroenterological problems. Therefore, gastritis and other “joys” often begin in youth.

Of course, there are many who closely monitor the quantity and quality of calories consumed and even hire specialized specialists. Plus now more and more coaches are paying attention to the nutrition of their charges, they make individual menus and try not only to compensate the body’s expenses, but also to solve specific tasks of an athlete. But in general, the issue of nutrition remains an independent choice of each person.

In fact, overcontrol of his diet and lifestyle can lead to dangerous consequences for health. How exactly, read in the material.