[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/swimmers-diet-nutrition\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/swimmers-diet-nutrition\/","headline":"5 Essential Nutrition Tips for Swimmers","name":"5 Essential Nutrition Tips for Swimmers","description":"Learn how the right diet helps elite swimmers power their way through water. ","datePublished":"2016-07-17","dateModified":"2022-06-02","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/swimmers-diet-1.webp","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/swimmers-diet-1.webp","height":867,"width":1308},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/swimmers-diet-nutrition\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":800,"keywords":["Nutrition","sports","swimmers diet","swimming"],"articleBody":"All athletes need fuel to power them through their sport. Competitive swimmers are no exception. A swimmer\u2019s diet is critically important for their athletic performance.While most of us will never experience the thrill of competing on a world stage, we still can benefit from the same sound nutritional advice the pros follow throughout training and before a big meet.Our sports nutrition experts at UPMC Sports Medicine have provided these five nutrition tips for swimmers and nonswimmers alike.1. Keep Your Plan Carb-FriendlyCarbohydrates are an important part of any athlete\u2019s training. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for moderate- to high-intensity activity. They assist with muscle repair, muscle preparation, and performance.According to the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA), when you are training at a competitive level\/in-season, carbohydrates should make up 50% or more calories in your diet. For example, the average swimmer needs around 6 g of carbs per kg of body weight. So a 160-pound (72.7 kg) swimmer would need 72.7 kg x 6 g = 436 grams of carbohydrates each day.But not all carbs are the same.You\u2019ll want to consume simple\/refined carbohydrates \u2014 such as sports drinks, sports gels, fruit, and pretzels \u2014 before, during, and immediately after a workout. The purpose of promoting these types of carbohydrate sources is to quickly fuel and refuel the muscles.Outside of training, a swimmer should focus on complex carbs, such as whole grains, beans, lentils, rice, and vegetables, due to their slower digesting nature, high-fiber content, and ability to regulate blood sugar and cortisol levels.It\u2019s important to note that both types of carbohydrates assist with carbohydrate replacement, but the timing of each is invaluable for optimal athletic performance.2. Pick Quality ProteinsProtein is an essential macronutrient for any athlete \u2014 but especially a swimmer. Swimmers need consistent doses of protein throughout the day.A high-quality protein source post-training is highly recommended for recovery, as well as in aiding muscle protein synthesis. Throughout the day, a swimmer should consume moderate doses (10 g to 30 g) of protein at snacks and meals.Our team\u2019s daily recommendation of protein for swimmers is 1.6 g per kg of body weight per day. In the case of the 160-lb athlete referenced above, that would equal 116 grams of protein per day.Bottom line: Choose nutrient-dense sources of protein like eggs, milk, chicken, pork, nuts, fish, beef, and soy.3. Promote RecoveryImmediately after a workout, you can replenish your body and prime yourself for recovery by eating a recovery snack with a ratio of 3 to 4 grams of carbs for every 1 gram of protein. Replenish within 30 minutes of workout\/training completion.One of the snacks we highly recommend that falls into the carb-protein ratio above is chocolate milk. Chocolate milk checks all the boxes that an athlete should have for their post workout nutrition, including:FluidCarbsProteinChocolate milk is also a quality source of vitamin D.Vitamin D is very hard to get through diet alone due to the limited food sources that contain vitamin D. The main source of vitamin D is the sun. In the case of the average swimmer, most of their day is spent in an indoor pool with limited sun exposure. For that reason, a swimmer should take full advantage of any chance to add vitamin D to their diet.4. Plan Combo Snacks Every DaySnacking should always be a part of a swimmer\u2019s daily plan.We recommend swimmers plan for combo snacking that includes carb\/produce and protein. The reason for the combo is that swimmers need ample carbohydrates (shown above with the daily recommendation), as well as high-quality protein doses throughout the day. Here are three easy, packable snack ideas that meet the above criteria:Apple + Peanut Butter.Greek Yogurt + Granola.Beef Jerky + Pear.5. Wet Your WhistleIronically, as you swim in water, your body requires more of it.\u00a0In fact, dehydration can sap your performance.Don\u2019t just stick with water; also include sports drinks during high-volume (1 hour +) training to replace the electrolytes and carbohydrates. Water is a great source of hydration throughout the day, but when it comes to performance, you need a performance drink.Consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables that naturally contain a high water percentage also will help in daily hydration practices.Swimmers\u2019 Diet and Nutrition at UPMC Sports MedicineSports nutrition experts at UPMC Sports Medicine support athletes in all areas of sports medicine, including those recovering from concussion, joint replacement, and impact injuries. We also offer sport-specific nutrition programs.Consider working with a sports nutritionist to help reach your goal faster, whether it\u2019s preparing for a big race, fine-tuning an off-season program, or just trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on July 17, 2016, and was last reviewed on June 2, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"5 Essential Nutrition Tips for Swimmers","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/swimmers-diet-nutrition\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]