Tips for formulating a diet chart for hockey players.

A winning performance on the game day takes a lot more than practice. In order to ensure a bright career as a hockey player, focusing on your nutritional needs is also essential apart from rigorous training. Hockey is a high calorie consuming sport and it requires a lot of physical stamina and muscular strength, as a result the nutritional demands of your body increases considerably.

But most of our Indian hockey players do not consider this aspect, their body is strong and resistant in the early years but in later years it affects their health and performance. The extra workout burns out more calories due to which sportsmen take larger food portions. This makes them believe that they are refilling the nourishment vitals sufficiently; but those extra chapattis and buttermilk do not compensate your body requirements. Therefore a planned diet with a balance between all food groups is important, so following diet tips should be adopted by hockey teams.
 

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the best and most essential form of energy source for sportsmen. Carb rich products should be included in your breakfast and lunch to fuel you through the day. They provide a large portion of the daily stamina required for your active bodies. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains (such as brown rice), milk and its products, Legumes (peas, all kinds of beans, lentils) etc are rich sources of carbohydrates. The average Indian diet misses out carb rich sources, so it is essential for hockey teams to especially focus on its intake. 
 

Proteins
 

Protein is the Tinkerbelle for your strong muscles; it repairs, strengthens and builds tissue and maintains a strong immune system. Including small but frequent portions of it in your diet will fortify your muscles and tissues. An ideal protein diet consists of food items like lean meats, milk products, eggs, cheese and tofu. However do not overdo on it as it can be dehydrating for your body.
 

Fats
 

A limited amount of healthy fats are also essential in your diet; the Indian diet is rich on it but you need to focus on the type and the amount of your intake. Peanuts, olive oil, walnuts, almonds, soy nuts, salmon etc. are some sources of healthy fat.

Thus follow this diet plan which is preferred by the professional Indian hockey players as well; and it will help you in maintaining your energy levels. And last but not the least, do not forget the fluids and drink plenty of water.