Do you have to eat vegetables for muscle growth? Answers Nutriciologist

Do you have to eat vegetables for muscle growth? Answers Nutriciologist

We tell you what role fresh fruit plays in an athlete’s diet.

Certified Nutritionist

Vegetables are an important part of every person’s diet to keep the body toned. Why do we need them and what are their benefits for athletes? ⠀

Vegetables contain not only vitamins, but also minerals, magnesium, phosphorus, iron. They are also rich in organic acids and essential oils, which improve digestion, remove toxins from the body and prepare it for heavier foods such as meat and cereals.

An undeniable positive quality of vegetables is their low calorie content. And fiber, which is contained in vegetables, will help to maintain a feeling of satiety for quite a long time.

Vegetables for our body are ⠀⠀

• a rich source of vitamins and fiber;
• a useful food for the intestinal microflora, which improves digestion and prevents constipation;
• a helper in digesting heavier foods.

We can safely say – the more diverse the food basket of vegetables, the better the enrichment of the body with necessary vitamins and minerals.

What are the benefits of vegetables for an athlete?

For an athlete, it is important to compose a rational diet that will replenish the reserves of useful substances lost during intensive training. Vegetables are a great tool to balance the diet.

If meat and fish are the main sources of proteins and fats that will help build muscle, vegetables are suppliers of fiber, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the intestines.

An athlete should eat at least 400 g of vegetables a day. It is desirable not to subject them to excessive processing, but eat them raw.

Some believe that vegetables can be replaced by vitamin and mineral complexes, but this is not true. No synthetic supplement can replace natural food. Supplements are designed to supplement the diet with the necessary substances, but no more than that.

Therefore, add a salad of fresh vegetables to the main course – the meal will immediately transform, and digestion will work much better.