When we exercise, it’s important to eat properly so as to provide the body with all the necessary macronutrients it needs. An alkaline diet for athletes will allow for optimal performance and will help prevent excessive bone and muscle wear.
Among all the healthy diet options, we choose to follow an alkaline diet for athletes.
The alkaline diet is primarily an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of plant-based foods. 80% of the alkaline foods are rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and prebiotic fiber.
Essential fatty acids omega 3, 6, and 9 should also be included, which are found in extra virgin olive oil, nuts like walnuts, seeds and eggs.
Another key aspect is to take a good portion of raw vegetables, as they are loaded with antioxidants and bioavailable nutrients that are also powerful detoxifiers for the system.
It’s also important to eliminate the “three white poisons”: sugar, milk, and refined White flours. Additionally, avoid industrially processed foods and sugary cola beverages. It is recommended to reduce the intake of red meat because it is pro-inflammatory and very acidic too.
As Dr. Steven Masley says:
Anyone who reduces its amount of meat intake will not only lose weight, but also see improvements in cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reduce cardiovascular risk, and become healthier.
The more alkaline your lifestyle is, the more vital, energetic, in a better mood and healthier you will feel. When we talk about natural optimal alkalinity, we are referring to the state in which, by nature, our body remains and must stay to sustain its life. Do you remember the slogan from the alkaline battery commercial, “the one that lasts and lasts?” Well, that’s how our body behaves, like an alkaline battery, as we are electrical beings and need certain minerals and oxygen to function properly. Without energy, we are literally nothing.
Elite Athletes and the Alkaline Diet
The alkaline diet, which in fact is really a lifestyle, provides all the necessary elements to be healthy and is therefore ideal for athletes. The alkaline diet is a growing trend worldwide and elite sports are no exception. It has been shown to improve performance, speed up post-training recovery, prevent injuries, promote health, and even help prevent diseases.
Alkaline Diet
The energy in the alkaline diet comes from complex carbohydrates found in vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, and whole flours. Whole fruits as for example avocado provide also healthy fats and clean high quality protein can come from plants or animal sources (preferably organic eggs and fish).
It’s also essential to stay well-hydrated by drinking enough alkaline water, as it has greater penetration capacity and provides antioxidants and electrolytes.
In summary, the alkaline diet essentially promotes a healthy, vegan, or vegetarian lifestyle because of the overall benefits it offers.
Famous Elite Athletes that follow Alkaline, Vegetarian and Vegan Diets
We have real testimonials from elite athletes who have adopted or maintained an alkaline, vegetarian, or vegan lifestyle and have seen how their nutrition has propelled them to the top of their careers.
Venus Williams, a former world No. 1 tennis player, decided to change her diet after being diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, in 2011. She describes herself as a “cheating vegan,” as she doesn’t always strictly follow the diet.
Williams chose to embrace the philosophy of raw food veganism—a vegan diet where only raw foods or those cooked below a certain temperature are consumed—to reduce inflammation and pain in her body and compensate for the energy loss caused by her illness. “By not overloading her body with to much calories, chemicals, or sugars, her system has more strength to fight Sjögren’s syndrome,” explains in her website, which mentions that she turned to the famous chef Lauren Von Der Pool, who once spoke at the White House about food and the green movement.
Changing my diet has made a huge difference.
Another elite athlete is NBA player Dirk Nowitzki, who also adjusted the way he ate and reduced animal products, albeit with varying degrees of commitment:
I no longer drink cow’s milk; as it’s not very healthy. I also consume very little cheese and no yogurt at all.
The greatest advocate and pioneer of the alkaline diet for athletes, eventually adopting veganism, is Carl Lewis, the legendary American track and field athlete, who admitted to being vegan during the peak of his career.
My best performances came when I was 30 and vegan.
Smoothies for Athletes
- Drinking green smoothies or juices before and/or after sports is highly beneficial, as they provide energy, vitamins, and antioxidants that strengthen the immune system. They also contain the fiber necessary to help eliminate toxins and, most importantly, help detoxify and repair tissues at the cellular level. Eating small portions of nuts like walnuts and almonds before, during, and after exercise provides the necessary fats and minerals for an energy boost.
Alkaline Supplements for Athletes
- Staying properly hydrated with alkaline water is essential, as it contains electrolytes, antioxidants, and crucial minerals for athletic endurance. We can alkalize our water with Puriphy drops—just 6 drops per liter give you water with a pH between 8.5 and 9.5. These fabulous drops don’t alter the taste or smell of the water.
- Drinking water with chlorophyll before, during, and after training makes a significant difference, as chlorophyll oxygenates the blood and improves hematocrit, providing strength and greater endurance to athletes. Chlorophyll also helps balance blood glucose levels, strengthens the heart muscle, improves blood circulation and regulates blood pressure. Adding chlorophyll drops to alkaline water enhances its absorption.
- The essential pHour Salts should also be taken before, during, and after exercise as they provide vital electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, which are crucial for muscle contractions and nerve impulses. pHour Salts instantly provides energy, significantly improve muscle endurance, and prevents post-workout fatigue, allowing for faster recovery. These minerals salts counteract the typical acidity that occurs after intense training.
Other Recommendations
- Another great ally for athletes is Andean Maca as its nutrient concentration helps maintain health and provides plenty of energy. Maca is a root grown in the highlands of Peru, consumed by Incan warriors to boost their strength. It provides energy making it ideal for athletes of all ages. Maca is rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, bismuth, manganese, sulfur, sodium, copper, selenium, iodine, silicon, iron, and tin. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, C, and E, making it a powerful antioxidant, energy booster, and revitalizer. Maca has a high natural fiber content and is a natural source of protein that helps increase and maintain muscle mass and keep bones in good condition. Truly a wonder! It can be mixed with any juice, smoothie or cereal.
- Lastly, Green Mix Protein is a unique blend of organic plant-based proteins with very high bioavailability. It helps increase and preserve muscle mass, reduce tiredness and fatigue, aid post-workout recovery, and contribute to the formation of red blood cells (hemoglobin) and oxygen transport in the body.
By taking care of yourself with an alkaline diet, you will greatly improve your athletic performance by noticing increased strength, endurance and most importantly, giving your muscles everything they need to function optimally, recover quickly after training and help preserve your tissues.
Start the Alkaline Diet for Athletes Today!
