Broncos’ Bruton helps explain how to eat like the pros

Playoff season is an exciting time of the year. As fans, we appreciate the hard work that players exert in order to perform as competitively as they do, but do you ever wonder what the training and nutrition success plan is for these players?

The following is a list of things professional athletes may consider when making healthy choices, with insight from David Bruton, safety for the Denver Broncos:

BUSY PRACTICE SCHEDULE: For professional athletes, nutrition and training are of high importance – in football that can mean starting in the heat of the summer and lasting (hopefully) into the dead of winter. Bruton says that during the football season, the Broncos practice two and a half hours, three days a week with team workouts one and a half hours, two days a week on top of playing their scheduled games. Even during the off-season, Bronco athletes are training and working out anywhere from one and a half to three hours, at least four days a week. 

HIGH-CALORIE NEEDS: Over 10 hours a week of high-intensity training is nutritionally demanding for professional athletes. Each football player has specific nutrition needs based on their position and activity level. Running backs and wide receivers, for example, tend to require additional calories and carbohydrates because they burn a lot of energy in their positions. Lineman often need more calories simply to maintain their healthy weight. During double days, when athletes are practicing twice a day in the heat of the summer, the average player typically demands about 5,000 calories, some athletes may require as much as 10,000 calories a day!

PROPER MEAL PLANNING: The majority of professional sports teams work with registered dietitians who carefully meal plan healthy foods for these athletes to consume. It is easier to eat 10,000 calories through less healthy choices, but ensuring a balance of nutrients from all Five Food Groups is important for all athletes. Team dietitians help athletes plan ways to get the correct servings of each type of food through meals and snacks based on their specific needs. Some athletes find it helpful to eat the MyPlate way, using guidelines provided at choosemyplate.gov. Bruton is a great example, in fact, when it comes to breakfast, Bruton’s main goal is “making sure to try to eat from all Five Food Groups.” Yogurt parfaits are one of his favorites. A cup of yogurt, sprinkled with blueberries, strawberries, peaches or any favorite fruit, granola and crushed nuts provides four of the Five Food Groups and tastes great, too.

NUTRITION KEYS TO SUCCESS: For professional athletes, staying hydrated, refueling muscles and eating the right foods to recover is the key to success. Drinking enough water is absolutely critical as some players can lose up to 10 pounds of sweat during a hot summer day practice. In fact, many teams require their players to weigh themselves before and after practices to make sure they stay hydrated. Refueling and recovering is done through eating healthful foods off the field. Food choices that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals help the body repair. Chocolate milk is a healthy choice many athletes choose because it provides nine essential nutrients, including protein, which helps repair the body after a tough workout; plus, dairy foods fit well into a well-balanced diet fit for an athlete. Bruton states it simply, “eat right and stay active” for success.

Athletes can train harder and perform better with proper nutrition. Visit this site to read more about milk as an exercise recovery beverage and learn how to eat for peak athletic performance.