Soccer - Do You Know Soccer's Little Secret?

soccer, also known as football in some parts of the world is one of the most demanding sports in the world. Don't let the simplicity of the game fool you.

A player is required to jog, sprint, twist, turn, jump and at times run backwards. The leg muscles must be primed for the ninety minutes of action.

Fitness and physical conditioning play a big part in your overall soccer performance. What about nutrition? Do you think nutrition is directly proportional to your performance?

Nutrition is a significant aspect of soccer. Without proper nutrition, the body cannot achieve peak performance and the body will take longer to recover. So what is proper soccer nutrition?

Soccer nutrition must be able to supply the body with enough energy to compete for ninety minutes. Carbohydrates are the best source of energy. All other foods such as fats and proteins require too much ingestion, making them less efficient and not available during peak energy usage.

Carbohydrates should be the key ingredients in any soccer diet. Carbohydrates get converted to glucose, fructose and galactose, which are simple sugars that the body can quickly absorb for energy.

The real benefit for soccer players comes from the conversion of glucose to glycogen. Glycogen is stored in muscles and in the liver and is a quick source of energy when the body requires it. Having adequate stores of glycogen in your muscles is a big advantage. Glycogen is like petrol is to a car. The more petrol you have, the greater distance you can travel.

Most professionals load up on carbohydrates before a match to replenish their glycogen levels. Carbohydrates come in two forms, simple and complex.

Simple carbohydrates are the sugars you find in fruit, lollies and energy drinks. Complex carbohydrates can be found in potatoes, pasta, bread and cereals. These complex carbohydrates are slow to break down and can be stored in muscles and the liver for later use. Complex carbohydrates are the best foods you could eat before a game.

Upon completion of a match, its a good idea to replenish your depleted glycogen levels by eating a well balanced diet of carbohydrates. This will increase your recovery time and prepare your muscles for the next training session.

Any soccer diet would be incomplete without carbohydrates. Make sure to eat enough carbohydrates to maintain your glycogen levels and to give you every chance of performing at your peak.