The best (or most appropriate) diet depends on the person’s lifestyle and goals. An athlete, for example, follows a nutritional plan designed to improve his sports performance. On the other hand, a person who practices sports for non-competitive purposes seeks a diet that contributes to their health and desired aesthetic appearance.
The professional athlete’s routine follows a competitive schedule and receives fees from its contractors. On the other hand, the amateur athlete remains motivated by his own personal importance. In addition, sports professionals are subject to the rules of sports federations and eventually undergo anti-doping tests.
Fans use nutritional supplements, such as whey protein and creatine, if they maintain a more intense training pace. Food supplements contribute to the practicality of the diet, improving the recovery of the body and reducing the risk of injury.
Nutritional Basis:
The nutritional base is the same for both. They are found in natural foods, such as fruits, grains, seeds, lean proteins, vegetables, and roots, and are good sources of carbohydrates. “It’s just the amount, distribution, and value of the energy that changes,”. The amateur athlete has a little more menu freedom than the professional athlete.
Amateur athletes need to be careful not to pack on calories no matter how hard they train.
Similarities and Differences
Nutritionists know that the ideal for people, whether they are athletes or not, is to diversify the foods in their diet. For the amateur athlete, the recommendation is to change weekly.
But for professional competitors, nutritionist Claudia suggests adapting the menu to the competition calendar. The days leading up to the disagreements allow for slow-digesting foods, while the competition dates call for easy-to-digest foods.
Alcohol is bad for both athletes. “The high caloric content of the drink can impair performance and make it difficult to maintain or lose weight,”.
For both groups, it is recommended to avoid processed and processed foods, reduce sugar intake, and stick to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods.
