Healthy Nutrition for Surfers

Table of Contents

Drink more water

Everyone probably knows this phrase all too well from their mother. And she’s right!

Our body consists of around 50 % water. No wonder, then, that human metabolism only works when the body has enough water available.

And not all liquids are equal: juices or sports drinks are not part of a healthy diet. They often contain too much added sugar, which sends your blood sugar levels soaring unnecessarily. If you can afford it, get yourself a water filter. That way you no longer have to lug water bottles around and can simply filter tap water instead. Even though tap water in Germany is pretty good, avoid drinking it unfiltered. The chlorine content can often cause serious damage to the digestive system. And if water still feels too boring, just add some fruit. How about water with lemon and mint, for example?

Eat balanced meals!

Don’t focus on just one component of a balanced diet – your meals should consist of carbohydrates, protein and fat. These three macronutrients help keep your blood sugar levels balanced and your energy up throughout the day. The right amounts vary from person to person. Some people perform better with a higher carbohydrate intake, while others do better with more fats and proteins. Everyone has to find this out for themselves, because a different diet suits each person. The only important thing is that meals are balanced.

“Good” carbohydrates are the solution!

“Carbohydrates are the reason why so many people are overweight and gain weight.”

A myth that should be debunked right away. If you eat badly, sleep little or not at all, don’t treat your body well and have never learned to listen to it, you are much more likely to gain weight.

Carbohydrates are the fuel for our body, so cutting them out long-term can have devastating effects on our hormonal system. When it comes to nutrition for surfers, carbohydrates are essential to ensure adequate energy production.

Of course, not all carbohydrates are “good” carbohydrates. The focus should be on nutrient-dense carbohydrates. Too many people consume most of their calories in the form of processed grain carbohydrates. Most people would benefit greatly from eating less grain (including whole grains). Focus instead on high-quality fruit and starch as carbohydrates. This doesn’t mean whole grain products and the like should be banned from the kitchen – on the contrary: you should simply make sure you eat from nutrient-dense food sources.

When it comes to carbohydrates, there is also the much-discussed topic of gluten. Some people have a gluten intolerance or think they do. Either way, whether you tolerate gluten or not is something you should find out for yourself. Don’t always believe the media – after all, it’s your body and you know best what it tolerates and needs!

So what do I mean by “good” carbohydrates?

Quite simple: eat more sweet potatoes, potatoes, fruit and every now and then a tasty curry with white rice. 😉

Eat more vegetables 🙂

I don’t think there’s much more to say here, right? The overview says it all: eat more vegetables! As much as you like, because vegetables often contain very few calories and can be devoured with virtually no guilt.

Eat organic

Unfortunately, eating organic often requires the budget to match. Especially when it comes to meat, the focus should be on organic meat or perhaps meat from your local butcher. After all, meat is only as healthy as the animal itself.

Beef

Instead of buying meat from the discount supermarket yet again, find a local farmers’ market that supplies you with good meat. Fruit and vegetables can also be bought at weekly markets. In addition, the EWG (Environmental Working Group) has a “Dirty Dozen” list you can download. It tells you which fruits and vegetables are the most contaminated and which have the least pesticides.

Small changes from time to time are the first step towards a healthier life

Please take one thing to heart: don’t be too rigid when it comes to diets. You can pick up a few useful tips from some diets, but don’t make any diet your eating standard. You’ll already benefit greatly if you simply follow the basics presented in the three parts of this blog. Once you’ve achieved that, you can start eliminating certain foods from your diet and perhaps add a few superfoods.

In the end, it’s all about feeling good and doing something good for our body in the long term! So, stay healthy guys!

More on the topic of HEALTHY EATING FOR SURFERS

Part 1: The basics of healthy nutrition for surfers

Part 2: Fats, carbohydrates and dairy products

More on the topic: 10 tips for a plastic-free surf holiday on Fuerteventura!