Martial arts training can be taxing on the body, especially on the muscles. As we exercise and train, our muscles undergo a significant amount of damage as they grow bigger, and they often need ample time to fully recover before they can once again be ready for more training.
Muscle recovery is an important part of the exercise regime; without it, our muscles would simply never grow, and we would battle to achieve an adequate amount of strength and stamina. While there are various supplements on the market that can help with muscle recovery, it’s usually better to instead focus on eating healthy and nutritionally dense foods, such as the following.
Sweet Potatoes
As we exercise, we quickly burn through the glycogen stores that are present within the body, so it’s vital to consume enough carbs afterward to replenish these stores. It’s not a good idea to get these much-needed carbs from unhealthy sources, but instead from something like a sweet potato. These are perfect for this, as they contain a high amount of complex carbohydrates, along with a range of other important vitamins and nutrients. Sweet potatoes can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, boiling, and more.
Spinach
Dark, leafy greens should be part of everyone’s daily diet, and spinach is by far one of the best around. It contains plenty of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron calcium, and other minerals that our bodies need to be healthy. Dehydration is common among those that exercise on a frequent basis, and without enough water in the body, it is not able to complete many of the usual functions properly. Spinach not only provides plenty of hydration, but it also comes packed with electrolytes thanks to the potassium and magnesium content, so loading up on spinach and other dark, leafy greens as regularly as possible is a powerful method of promoting faster muscle recovery while watching TV.
Nuts & Seeds
Despite the common belief that most people should avoid fat, it’s actually that most people should avoid the wrong kinds of fats and rather get their fats from a healthier source. THe brain, for instance, is largely composed of fats, and without them, it can battle to work properly. Arguably the best source of healthy fats is from a mixture of nuts and seeds, so most trainers will want to try and eat a handful of raw nuts and seeds as often as they can. Not only do they contain plenty of nutrients, but they come loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which help with bone and joint health, but also enough protein to help muscles quickly recover from long training sessions.
Green Tea
Often cited as one of the healthiest beverages around, green tea boasts a ton of great benefits and should be consumed often, although it’s best to avoid at night due to its caffeine content. Not only does green tea come with antioxidants that can help with oxidative stress, but it also hydrates the body, and naturally boosts metabolism.