The roll of diet in a football training regime is often underestimated. We all know you have to "train to win" but we should also consider "eating to win." For any player to perform to their full potential, diet needs to be taken into consideration. You "get out" what you "put in.".

Take Action Most of us are unaware of our poor diet, and only when we actually record our daily intake of food, do we realise how unhealthy it is. We all know of players who have a dreadful diet yet play well, but, just think how much more they could achieve if they put healthy "fuel" into themselves. Any player wishing to perform to their maximum ability needs to seriously consider their diet and for progression into the professional sporting arena this is absolutely essential. Eating correctly gives the body the foundations to perform to it`s maximum in endurance, coordination and skill. Unfortunately we live in a world heavily influenced by fast food. Overindulgence in such food is guaranteed to have a negative effect on performance. Just as poor quality fuel in your car will increase the likelihood of breakdown, poor quality food will cause your body to "breakdown." The longer a poor diet is sustained, the more damage it will do to your body, remember, "you are what you eat." For a chilling insight into the affects of junk food on health, check out the documentary "Supersize Me." The conclusions are frightening! Some of the greatest players the game has ever seen, Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho, came from poor families with no exposure to junk food. By educating yourself, you will be able to distinguish the energy rich, muscle building foods from those that will harm your health and performance.