For competitive swimmers, performance and speed are very important. In fact, fuel is just as important as the training schedule. Competitive athletics, such as swimming, may expend thousands of calories depending upon gender, weight and training schedule. The caloric breakdown for a competitive swimmer's diet should be about 60 to 70 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 20 to 25 percent from protein and 15 to 20 percent from fat.
Diet Basics
According to the World's Healthiest Foods website, competitive athletes, such as swimmers, need more calories than recreational athletes. On average, female swimmers may need 4,000 calories daily, while males may require 6,000 calories daily or more. Ideally, their diets should be high in carbohydrates, provide an adequate amount of protein for building and maintaining muscles and be low in fat.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates should be the foundation of a competitive swimmer's diet, although carbohydrate "loading" is usually unnecessary, according to Fitness.gov. The amount of carbohydrates, in grams, varies according to calorie level. For example, a swimmer on a 5,000-calorie diet may need nearly 800 grams daily, which is about 65 percent of total calories from carbohydrates.
Food sources of carbohydrates include simple sugars, such as fructose, the form of sugar found in juices and fruits; milk sugar, or lactose, found in dairy products; sucrose or table sugar; as well as complex carbohydrate foods, such as whole grains and starchy vegetables. All sugars, such as fructose and sucrose, are digested and converted to glucose by the liver.
Protein
The building blocks of proteins are amino acids. Amino acids are broken down for energy for muscles when glycogen stores get too low during exercise. At this time the body breaks down a bit of muscle as well as some fat. Thus protein is necessary for rebuilding tissues. According to the ESPN website, the daily protein requirement for a competitive athlete, such as a swimmer, is 1.2 to 1.4 g per kilogram of body weight. Good protein food sources include whey powder, chicken, meat and fish, eggs, soy products, milk and other dairy products.
Fluids
Competitive swimmers should consume plenty of fluids, particularly water or electrolyte-enhanced beverages. According to Dena McDowell, M.S.R.D., "Along with a proper diet and training, hydration provides an edge to becoming a winning athlete." Glucose and electrolyte-enhanced beverages replenish glycogen stores in the muscles and liver and provide much-needed hydration. Athletes should begin a competition hydrated and drink chilled liquids frequently throughout an event as they are absorbed faster than room-temperature fluids and help to lower body temperature.
Pre- and Post-Competition Meals
Pre-competition meal recommendations are similar for all athletes, regardless of age, gender or sport. A pre-competition meal should be eaten three to four hours before the event and consist of mostly carbohydrate-rich foods. This meal may provide 500 to 1,000 calories. Thirty minutes following the competition is the best time to replenish depleted glycogen stores by eating a smaller meal, composed of some carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
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