Nutrition is a vital component of athletic success at any age.
The most important factor in the diet of youth football players is balance. Oftentimes children load up on junk, fast food and sweets, and do not obtain the nutrients necessary to protect and nurture their growing bodies.
Vegetables
Vegetables and fruits are foods which many children often do not get enough of. Fiber, calcium and various antioxidants found nowhere else help maintain bone strength, something vital to athletic efficiency and overall longevity.
Protein
Protein is vital in muscle rebuilding and recovery, particularly after intense games, workouts or long periods of exercise. Meats, yogurt, eggs and chocolate milk are just a few examples of protein-packed foods.
Vitamins
Multivitamins are vital for any athlete who is serious about performing consistently at top capacity. Lowered energy levels are often the fault of some kind of deficiency, often iron, which could have been solved by vitamins.
Water and Electrolytes
Staying hydrated 24 hours a day is perhaps the most important thing that an athlete of any age can do for his body. Drinking water is important, but athletes should also take care to maintain electrolyte levels in their bodies. Sodium and potassium are crucial to mental and physical endurance, and can be found in most sports drinks.
Tags: most important