Diet and Nutrition Tips For Basketball Players

As a basketball player, I always wondered how vital basketball a role food and nutrition had in my playing ability. During a camp one summer there was a nutrition specialist there and I asked him this question, "does it really matter what we eat before a game?" All I can say is basketball he laughed for a bit and then compared our bodies to cars and the fuel that we put into them. If we put junk in our cars they don't drive well and the same is true of our bodies. I took what he said very seriously and will never forget the recommendations he gave us. This article will summarize his advice and will serve as a guide for basketball players looking to improve their playing ability simply by being smart about what they eat and drink.

Carbohydrates

You hear a lot of negative things about carbohydrates these days but basketball players need to know that carbohydrates serve an important purpose - creating energy. Because of this, they should be regular part of your diet but shouldn't be eaten excessively. While breads are full of carbohydrates, he recommended wheat breads and not in high amounts. They are a heavier food and tend to sit in your stomach longer than other foods. Light pastas were mentioned with spaghetti being one of the simplest foods to break down and produce energy. The red sauce, with tomatoes and other vegetables, was also mentioned as a positive to have as a staple of your diet as well as a pregame meal.

Protein

No player who wants to get stronger or healthier can do it without the aid of protein. Specifically mentioned were lean proteins like turkey or boneless skinless turkey breasts. I was very interested to learn that fish can provide probably the least fat and best protein available. My favorite fish, salmon, wasn't on the list of the least fatty fish available and I was surprised about that. Halibut, tuna and cod are all great protein foods that have minimal fats. One of my favorite meals became spaghetti with red sauce and grilled chicken breast. It provided the protein and necessary carbohydrates to have enough energy to compete at the level I needed to compete at.

Hydration

When I was growing up Gatorade wasn't nearly as popular as it is today. If you got Gatorade you were considered lucky. Today we have so many choices of products to keep us hydrated it is amazing. From Propel to energy drinks to regular water. I don't and won't ever recommend an energy drink as something to take immediately before a sporting event. I don't think it is healthy and I don't think we have enough study materials to prove if it is safe or not. The caffeine and sugars that are typically in those drinks creates a quick fix but causes a lag as the game goes on. For simple hydration water is generally the safest bet. It is recommended that a player should drink over a gallon of water a day. That's a lot of water, but if you compare it to the amount of sweat that you are producing it really isn't that much. The more water you drink the more energy you will have and the better you will feel. One of the worst things you can do as an athlete is not drink enough.

Final Thoughts

Any product that is processed that is white is caused because of sugars. Yes, that includes white bread. 100% whole wheat bread aids in digestion better and helps to process the other foods. Sugars, if unused, simply turn to fat and that is bad in any sense of the word. People ask me about steaks and such. Steaks are tricky because they are generally very high in protein but can also be very high in fats. Certain cuts of steak obviously have more fats than others. I counsel people to eat them in moderation. Steak is one of my favorite foods and while I was playing I would typically lose weight during the season. A steak every now and then helped me maintain my weight and my strength and I feel it was very necessary for me.

Mainly, watch out for processed foods and eat foods that are equally balanced throughout. Don't just eat only wheat bread. Don't just eat turkey meat 10 times a day. Be smart and be reasonable. Remember that what you put into your body plays a large role in how you play. If you need an edge it could very well come down to diet and that may make all the difference.

Brian Schofield is a coach and former Division I college basketball player. He is a regular contributor to the basketball training site HoopSkills.com.

Increase Vertical Leap - Increase Your Vertical Jump

If you want basketball rule on the basketball court then this program is for you. You can easily increase your vertical leap with this system. Increase your vertical leap at least 6 inches in 90 days with this program or you will be rewarded basketball the creator. The only way to help your vertical is to learn from someone who has increased theirs.

You vertical leap stems from your calf muscles. There are certain exercises you can do to strengthen these muscles. Here are some tips on increasing your vertical leap without any special packages. However, if you are really serious about your vertical jump, I would suggest checking out the vertical leap program by clicking the link below.

1. Jumping rope really works well. Be sure to jump from your toes as this will work your calf muscles.

2. Practice you vertical leap. If you want to perfect something all you need to do is practice.

3. Sprinting helps develop your calf muscles as well because when you sprint you dig into the ground with your toes and when you push off the ground it strengthens your calf muscles.

4. One last exercise you can do to that will increase vertical leap performance is to stand on the edge of a step with only your toes and push up and down. For even more toning hold onto some weights when doing this.

There you have some simple exercises to increase your vertical leap. This will work, but owning a proven system will give you the results you want in much less time. The difference between training yourself and following a program is that this program has been proven to work. Take your pick.

To increase your vertical leap visit: Increase Vertical Leap

How To Celebrate Everyday

Everyone needs a little happy in their lives. A little something each basketball every day basketball remind yourself that you are special and worthy and that life is good.

There's so many ways that you can do this, that it would be nearly impossible to mention them all. However, here's a few of my favorites.

Light A Candle

That's all, just light a candle. Light one when you come in after work, the pleasant aroma will help you relax and give the room a special light. Having candles on the table at dinner time automatically makes the mood more celebratory - it's peaceful, it's relaxing, and if you have kids, it makes them excited to get to blow them out! Excited kids can make anyone smile, and that's worth celebrating.

Have Dessert

You don't have to go crazy, here. No one needs to be eating birthday cake or an ice cream sundae every night of the week, but ending your day with something sweet is such a great way to make it a special ending. Keep some of your favorite chocolates in the cupboard and have a couple - and if chocolate or sweets aren't your thing, go for some fruit. Enjoy the taste, texture, color and smell. Really let your senses take over and you're *poof* in the middle of a celebration!

Turn On the Lights

String some twinkle lights outside and enjoy them after dark. It doesn't have to be Christmas, just a strand or two of white lights are understated enough yet lend a festive air to the back patio or deck. Sitting out under some tiny lights can lend an atmosphere of magic to your surroundings, and suddenly it's a party!

Turn Them Off, Instead!

Turn out the lights, for another kind of atmosphere. Light up your outdoor fireplace, grab a glass of wine (or bag of marshmallows depending on your company) and enjoy the beauty of the flames. Share stories of your life (or scary ones for the kids) and celebrate who you are. Invite those around you to do the same and you will find yourself automatically celebrating them!

Play Some Music

While you're outside enjoying life, bring out a radio or CD player. Put on your favorite tunes and really enjoy them. If you're in a dancing mood, get up and dance! Whether you're jumping around to the beat or swaying to the gentle melodies, dancing is an amazing way to celebrate just being alive. It's one of our oldest forms of self-expression, and one that we should all indulge in.

It doesn't matter what you do to celebrate life, just that you do it. By doing one or two small things each and every day, you'll find that you've brought more beauty, peace, happiness and celebration to your world and that's something that's worth getting excited about. So, kick back, kick up your heels, or cozy up in front of a fire and enjoy living.

fire pit. Kick back and enjoy a fire next to your new outdoor fire pit. Shop fire pits and chimineas. It's also great to exercise everyday, but it doesn't have to be something you dread. It can be as simple as shooting a few buckets on your outdoor basketball hoop. Or even better, go play a little 1 on 1 with your buddy on your new basketball hoop

The Sports of Running and Cycling

If you are a sports type and like to not only watch but also participate, then you are probably in good enough shape to job or ride a bike to help keep you where you want to be health wise. Still it is wise to read up on the subjects if you are to remain injury free and at the top of your game. In my personal library, I have many such books on running and cycling for this very reason.

Now then, I'd like to recommend a couple of books to you that have helped me immensely in my sports regiment and training. I will recommend one book on cycling and one on running;

"The Complete Runner" from the Editors of Runner's World Magazine.

This book has been in my library since High School, where I use to run track and cross country. It has great tips in it on training, shoes and how to stay in top form without injury. Also there are sections of getting over injuries if you do get one, and how to stretch out before you run so you do not hurt something. There are sections on how to pick a good running shoe, and most importantly you diet. The other book I would like to recommend is one on Cycling;

"The Complete Guide to Riding and Racing Techniques" by Fred Matheny and Bicycling Magazine. 1989.

If you think choosing the right racing bike is easy, then think again. If you think you can just get on a bicycle and compete in bike racing because you are in great shape, dream on. This book has advanced riding techniques, racing strategies and training suggestions, it's filled from front to back with great advice, things you citizen watch to know, whether you are competing at the Lance Armstrong level or going out to do a 100-mile charity ride for a worthy cause.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio