National Football League Pro Training Tips

A funny thing happened when Coach Shaw asked Rikki Keen, a dietetics and nutrition specialist from the University of Alaska, to start working with his players in Orlando. “When we started changing these guys’ diets they got stronger and faster and suffered fewer injuries.” Keen says a lot of players have no clue what to buy at the grocery store or what to do with it when they get it home. “So the first thing we do is take a shopping list to the local store and learn the basics,” says Keen. She recommends the players eat things they may never heard of, like quinoa as a low-carb pasta substitute, tart cherry juice for its anti-inflammatory properties, and pumpkin seeds to replenish the body’s magnesium levels. “Keep it lean and keep it clean,” says Keen. Lovat agrees and says, “We push proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and encourage our players to eat out of the ground, not out of the package.” Other things Keen emphasizes are nutrient timing and healthy fats. “They have to have breakfast and they have to eat the right kinds of proteins throughout the day for fuel recovery,” says Keen. “I also encourage guys to eat salmon for omega-3s to battle concussions, and eggs, avocado, nuts, and seeds to get healthy fats.”

To keep hydrated at practice in the extreme Florida summer heat and during the first month of the NFL season, Keen and Shaw hammer the importance of electrolytes and sodium. The players drink a mix of ice-cold water, carbohydrate-filled sports drinks like Cyto-Max, and Vita Coco. “We are always adding in extra sodium too,” says Keen. “The amount they lose working out in the heat all day takes a concerted effort to replenish.” She also notes that Vita Coco is not high in sodium, so players drinking that must also mix in salt tablets or packets into their drinks to maintain sodium levels.

The big takeaway for the average guy is the importance of combining all of these individual hydration and nutrition components to maximize fitness and training. “These guys take my advice to heart and you can see it pay off,” says Keen. You should too.

Bonus: 5 foods that Help Replenish Electrolytes