How To Wrestle- Basic Wrestling Nutrition

Here is a nice article I discovered that gives a basic rundown for new Wrestlers just getting started in High School Wrestling and want to get a handle on nutrition.

The Balancing Act Known As Wrestling Nutrition

While learning how to wrestle you also have to learn proper nutrition for max performance!

Wrestling is among the few sports that hold no bias against the size of men competing in it. Any man of any height and weight can compete in wrestling. Wrestling demands stamina, concentration, nimbleness and sheer wit in order for an individual to excellently compete in it.

However, wrestlers have the perception that they do battle more advantageously if their body weight levels are low. Prohibited weight loss techniques abound in wrestling circuits such as crash dieting, use of laxatives, and consumption of diuretic agents. These methods often result in poor performance, dehydration, heart illness and even death.

Reconciling the need for low body weight and the necessity of peak performance isn’t an easy task. Wrestlers often use food supplements that proliferate in health shops and markets. The problem is many of these supplements aren’t proven to deliver the results promised. So how can wrestlers control their weight to a minimum and still sustain top performance?

Wrestlers should know that there are only two scientifically accurate means of achieving the best physical condition. The first is dedicated practice. The second, and the more important one, is implementing the right nutritional plan.

A wrestler should determine the number of calories his body requires; this number will be the basis of the amount of food to be eaten. It is imperative that the caloric intake should be balanced between three sources namely: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

These three nutrient sources play a pivotal role in putting the wrestler in his peak performance level. Many would focus only on the proteins and carbohydrates. They fail to realize that fats are a great source of energy as well; totally discarding fat in one’s diet can seriously damage performance level and other physical functions.

A wrestler’s nutrition program should include a lot of carbohydrates to sustain energy. Carbohydrates can be found in foods that have starch as well as fruits and vegetables. A controlled amount of protein is needed to build muscles; it is abundant in meats, soybeans, and dairy products. A moderate amount of fat helps coordinate body functions and carry nutrients to the tissues.

To top these nutrient sources, a wrestler should drink plenty of fluids. Keeping the body well hydrated is essential in repairing damaged muscles and preventing muscular injuries. Fresh fruit juices are great for holding off dehydration and sports drinks are excellent sources of electrolytes. Electrolytes are responsible for carrying electrical charges to the tissue cells; hence, keeping a wrestler alert.