May 2021 - 22

Nutrition
than with plant-based protein sources.
Plant proteins are not complete sources and
often take longer for bodies to digest and
absorb, which can cause delays in realizing the
recovery benefits. While plant-based protein
sources have some drawbacks, they are an
important dietary source of fiber needed to
regulate the digestive system. Most athletes
focus on complete protein sources that - when
combined with carbohydrates - stimulate
satiety, resolve muscle soreness, and expedite
the recovery of lean muscle mass.
Building muscle and remodeling tissue
are natural parts of training. Muscles break
down during exertion, but this compromised
state presents an opportunity to build and
recondition muscle fibers by flooding the
tissues with amino acids. Athletes tend to
consume protein sources that provide the best
pain relief. Whether the protein is plant- or
animal-based, athletes want to quickly resolve
any damage and pain that comes from intense
training during the offseason and fierce inseason
competition.
FUEL YOUR TEAM WITH THE RIGHT KIND
OF PROTEIN
Providing your athletes with the necessary
nourishment to drive their performance requires
more than handing out protein supplements
after training. It's unrealistic to supervise their
food consumption 24 hours a day, so you
have to do everything possible to educate
your athletes on the importance of including
adequate plant- and animal-based protein in
their diets. Here are three ways to do so:
22 | Training & Conditioning | Video Playbook 2021
1. Introduce them to protein diversification.
There are a few hot trends in protein
consumption among athletes. Males athletes
tend to focus on animal proteins and highleucine
dairy proteins; female athletes gravitate
toward amplifying plant-based proteins in their
diet. Meanwhile, the parents of younger athletes
try to focus their children's diets on getting
enough protein to support growth.
Unfortunately, each demographic's regimen
comes at the expense of a well-balanced
diet that would yield better training results.
To fill that knowledge gap, educate your
athletes about the advantages of protein
diversification. For example, they need the
iron that is readily available in red meat, the
calcium available from dairy protein, and the
cardiovascular health benefits found in many
plant-based proteins. Foods high in essential
amino acids - particularly leucine for new
protein synthesis - can spark the recovery
youth athletes seek.
Each source delivers different benefits. This
means that focusing solely on one source
causes you to miss out on the benefits of the
others. Balanced protein intake gives athletes
well-rounded building blocks for their training
and performances.
2. Provide them with appealing options.
When you educate athletes about protein
diversification, it's a good idea to offer multiple
entrées that combine proteins (e.g., animal,
dairy, and vegetables). You'll also want to
ensure that any meals you provide are well
prepared with high appeal and flavor.
For example, protein-packed salads can
May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2021
