A low carb lifestyle contributes to your overall health and keeps your body in top physical shape. No one understands this better than professional athletes, which is why so many follow strict diets. Following a low carb diet for athletes can be beneficial for people of all physical levels looking to get in great shape.
3 Reasons Why Athletes Should Live Low Carb
Professional athlete diets are designed to give the body what it needs to remain strong and explosive during long workouts. Recently, many basketball players are eating fewer carbs to gain an edge on their competition and keep their bodies as healthy as possible. Here are a few reasons why these athletes opt for a low carb lifestyle
A low carb diet like Atkins helps your body burn fat instead of store it.
Eating fewer carbs allows your blood sugar levels to return to normal by limiting spikes from sugar intake. This controls insulin levels, helping your body burn more fat.
One of the best things about the Atkins diet is that it’s not about limiting how much you eat, but rather be smart about what you’re eating. This is key for professional athletes who need to continuously replenish their nutrients after burning them quickly in workouts.
Low Carb Eating Habits & Recipes for Athletes
Instead of loading up on foods that spike blood sugar levels, athletes will eat proteins that help stabilize their blood sugar and insulin levels like chicken, fish, pork, and beef. They balance these proteins with healthy fats including nuts, avocados, olive oil, and other vegetables. This low carb diet for athletes is designed to help their bodies operate in the way they need to perform their best.
Atkins has over 1,600 low carb recipes to help guide athletes through every meal, both before and after competitions. Here are some of our favorites:
Bacon, Avocado and Jack Cheese Omelets with Fresh Salsa
Professional athletes need fuel for their morning workouts, so it’s important to start the day with a healthy breakfast. This delicious rise-and-shine recipe only has 5.7 grams of net carbs and is loaded with 33.0 grams of protein.
Kebabs are easy to serve, making them great for parties or family gatherings. This recipe packs 38.9 grams of protein into each serving with only 3.9 grams of net carbs, so it’s perfect for low carb athletes.
Grilled Flank Steak and Asparagus
Steak is a great protein option for athletes trying to cut as many carbs as possible. This simple meal is loaded with 31.7 grams of protein but only 1.1 grams of net carbs.
Whether you’re training for a big competition or just want to be mindful of net carbs, we’ve got your back! Register with Atkins for additional tips, recipes, and resources for your low carb lifestyle.
