Defining Nutrition

By Psychologist Diana Sosa, member of the World Boxing Council Medical Committee

Without a doubt, food is a very important issue for an individual, because we are what we eat, so the correct nutrition is absolutely essential to have optimal health.

If in daily life having healthy nutrition is fundamental, for all those who practice a sport formally or professionally, it is paramount for sports performance.

Food serves as fuel for the body to be healthy, strong and in optimal condition for training and competitions.

How do I know if I have adequate nutrition? According to the ISSSTE School of Dietetics and Nutrition, an individual’s diet, whether an athlete or not, must have the following 7 characteristics (without forgetting that there is a Sports Nutrition branch, where the eating plans are more specific and depend on the sport that is practiced, but never neglect the following points).

Complete: Contains all the nutrients. For this, it is recommended to include at least one food from the three groups, which are: 1) vegetables and fruits (which are vitamins and minerals), 2) foods of animal origin (protein), 3) cereals and legumes (which are Carbohydrates).

Balanced: That the nutrients keep the right proportions with each other. A nutritionist will indicate which are the portions of each group that our body requires. It should not be more or less.

Safe: That its regular consumption does not imply health risks, so it must be free of harmful microorganisms, toxins, contaminants and that excessive amounts of any nutrient are not consumed.

Sufficient: That it covers the needs of all the nutrients according to the group, age and the characteristics of each individual (and in the case of Sport, according to the discipline and branch that is practiced).

Varied: That different foods from the three groups are included in each main mealtime. This is so that the person does not get bored of always eating the same thing and that they know that there are many food options.

Adequate: That it is in accordance with the culture and tastes of those who consume it, in addition to being adjusted to the economic resources that are available.

Finally, it is important to point out that a correct diet also includes hydration, which is often suppressed or avoided in combat sports (such as boxing), due to the mistaken belief that not ingesting liquids will make athletes “lose weight faster.”

The only thing that is achieved by not hydrating and by not complying with the 7 points of a healthy diet (for example, stopping eating carbohydrates to “lose weight”), is harboring inadequate habits and therefore negative consequences in the short, medium and long term, while performance in Sport will be diminished.

It is essential to seek advice from a Nutrition specialist, to be able to adjust a diet according to individual or sport’s needs in case you are not fully and adequately complying with the requirements.