Surfing encompasses ALL aspects of health, and a big factor of being surf ready is what you put in your body. If the insides are off, then your outsides won’t be functioning nearly as well as you hope when you hit the line up. I’ve listed five quick and easy tips to keep your insides in check, helping you to feel better when you paddle out!
Chances are good that you don’t drink enough of this. Photo: Shutterstock
1. Stay HydratedWe all pee in our wetsuits. Often more so than what we have drank that day, so it stands to reason that you’re probably dehydrated out in the water. The downside to being dehydrated is your system struggles to transport O2 around the body, which directly effects your physical performance and the ease in which you can hold your breath when you’re under water. Drink at least 500ml before you hit the waves, plus roughly 1ltr per 30kg of body weight throughout the day.
Pea or brown rice protein is easier on your body. Don’t be hard on your body!
2. ProteinSuper important for muscle recovery! The good news is you don’t have to eat half a chicken straight after your surf ,because your body stores excess protein for when it’s needed. Make sure your breakfast or pre-surf snack is stocked with protein so you’re loaded for a quick recovery throughout the day. I recommend using a pea or brown rice protein in a smoothie instead of whey protein, which is highly processed and difficult for the body to recognize in comparison.
If it’s green or yellow, it’s mellow.
3. Eat AlkalineAgain, this one comes down to oxygenating your rig. More O2 traveling throughout the body equals efficient body performance. Alkaline tissues in the body hold 20 times MORE oxygen than acidic tissues. Some quick and easy ways to get your Alkaline on: Lemon juice in warm water every morning, avoid processed sugars and eat LOTS of greens.
There are worse snacks, right? Photo: Shutterstock
4. Balance Your SnacksSo often we grab for a piece of fruit thinking, “yep, I’m being healthy”, but you just don’t quite get the buzz you were searching for. Every time you grab your fruit, get a handful of nuts to go along with it–walnuts, almonds, and macadamias are the best. The protein in the nuts and sugar in the fruit bind together, anchoring the sugar in the bloodstream for a slower longer lasting release. And NO, salted, roasted, honey coated nuts are NOT the ones I recommend!
You might think it’s funny when your nose gets runny, but it’s snot. Photos: Shutterstock
5. Minimize Your Dairy IntakeDairy isn’t bad for you by any means. But it is harder (especially cow’s dairy) for your body to process, thus resulting in stuffed, mucusy, and blocked sinuses. Anything made from cows is especially difficult for the body to break down. It is, after all, produced for an animal that has three stomachs! So next time you consider having a a block of cheese or a Big M pre surf…don’t!
