Nutrition for Top Performance in Football

During a 90-minute match, an elite footballer must cover almost six miles as well as expend almost 1600 kilocalories of energy. To be able to tackle, pass, dribble, shoot and stay mentally sharp without fatigue means that players must follow appropriate fuelling tactics, before and during the match. Recovery starts as soon as a match ends, so nutrition during this time is critical for muscle repair and refuelling. Appropriate food choices and timing are also important to allow a player to train hard, avoid illness, sleep well, maintain appropriate body composition and recuperate from injury.

To understand and apply the principles of sports nutrition, this book uses the UEFA 2020 Expert Group Consensus Review on Nutrition in Elite Football to give evidence-based guidelines for optimising football performance through appropriate nutrition. It also examines what elite footballers eat and drink, using current recommendations made by nutrition experts. Also included are some amusing anecdotes about the history of football nutrition and some of the obscure and even absurd food and beverage choices that professional players have made over the years.

In this book, you will find the very latest comprehensive information on nutrition guidelines for professional players which is highly relevant to the amateur player and, with some modifications, to the needs of junior players. Female players and match officials can read about their specific nutrition needs. Relevant issues such as eating and drinking during travel, food hygiene and the influence of cultural and religious beliefs are also considered. Finally, you will have at your fingertips meal plans and snacks for training, match and recovery days.

Football is a truly global game which is constantly evolving.