Proper Nutrition for the Martial Artist

Proper nutrition for the martial artist is similar to the needs of any athlete, yet as different as the needs of any individual. In other words, suggestions are given for athletes to maintain form and function through diet, but with the variety of bodies and metabolisms in the world, only a doctor can determine the ideal nutrition course of any one person, even a martial artists. With that said, there are some general nutrition guidelines a martial artist can follow, as can any athlete.

First of all, it is important in nutrition to know one’s own body. Every body works differently and requires different nutrition. Some bodies metabolize food more quickly than others and require more calories. Others have the opposite reaction to nutrition and require a restriction of calories to maintain weight.

It is important when restricting calories not to go overboard into a starvation diet. This can be especially dangerous for a martial artist who burns calories in addition to calories restricted. The body, in response to the nutritional restriction, will revert to survival mode and will store fat instead of shed it. This will not result in an ideal form for he martial artist. A more healthy approach would be to monitor nutritional intake and make the most of the calories eaten.

Again, it is important to note that an excess of calories taken in, by a martial artist or any athlete must be equal to the output calories in order to maintain weight. If the intake is higher, the martial artist will gain weight, despite the nutritional value of the calories. Similarly, if the nutritional intake in calories is lower than the output, the martial artist will lose weight.

It is important for martial artists to eat nutritionally. This includes making protein an important part of the diet. Protein helps repair muscle. It is during the rest period, after muscles have been worked during a martial arts performance, that the muscles start to repair. Protein and other proper nutrition can help speed the healing process.