How Important is a Well-Balanced Diet?

You may have heard of the 80/20 rule? It is probably the most quoted rule of thumb in any industry, not just health and fitness, and there's a reason for that.

When it comes to nutrition, eating healthy foods 80% of the time is essential for performance and I notice this in my own training. When I eat better, I play better.

For me, having a good understanding of my own nutrition needs and creating a well-balanced diet is critical to achieving maximum performance. This is why I like that Kerrigans make learning about nutrition more easily accessible for everyone through the Health & Fitness section on their website (where you're probably reading this blog!).

The type of foods you consume is not the only important aspect to be aware of when talking about balance. The timing of when you consume your food can also play a big part in how you perform in sports, at the gym, or even just noticing your energy levels throughout the day.

A typical training day for me includes about 6 meals a day; breakfast, lunch, dinner and 3 snack options. Within each of those meals I would look to include a combination of carbohydrates, protein and fats. On training days, carbohydrate intake would be more than on non training days, for example, as they are a phenomenal energy boost for me.

The majority of people would feel an increase in energy levels or strength post-consumption of carbs but everyone is different so it's important to listen to your body and be aware of when you perform at your best and what parts of your nutrition enabled that.

To add one final example, protein consumption for me is also crucial in allowing my body to regenerate and recover post-gym or pitch sessions, especially when training becomes more intense. That's why the bundle that I created with Kerrigans has such a large focus on high-protein options that are not only delicious but can be used in so many different ways (turkey burgers, I'm looking at you!).