No cheat meals, no carbs, no caffeine added: Suryakumar Yadav has taken the road less traveled to the top.
His 360-degree game was achieved through systemic planning, and changing eating habits was one of his greatest achievements off the field.
Renowned dietician and sports nutritionist Shweta Bhatia, who worked with the world number one batsman T20I, provided some details on how meticulously the cricketer planned the work on his body.
Also read: Surya is a joy to watch, every time he puts on a show: Dravid
“We have been working with him for the last year. He was looking to improve his overall fitness. I helped him readjust his understanding of sports nutrition,” said Bhatia. ITP on Monday.
Bhatia said that Surya’s diet was based on a five-point agenda. First of all, he increases performance both during training and during matches. Second and most important, help keep your body fat within the athletic zone (12-15 percent).
Third, your diet should help you stay cognitively alert/energetic. The fourth point was about reducing the need to constantly refuel with fewer cravings. Last but not least, he was promoting recovery, which is a must for an athlete.
To increase his agility levels, Bhatia reduced his carbohydrate intake to the minimum level for optimal results.
“The latest research shows how performance can be not only maintained but enhanced with a structured low-carb plan,” he said.
“We eliminated excess carbohydrates from Surya’s diet. Her diet consists of healthy fats such as nuts and Omega 3. She consumes plenty of first-class protein from non-vegetarian sources (eggs, meat, fish), dairy, and fibrous carbohydrates from vegetables.”
Hydration is paramount for an athlete which includes fluids and electrolytes.
“Hydration guidelines that are fluids and electrolytes are provided for the intra-match/intra-workout period. Activity-specific supplements are added to enhance athletic performance before, during and after training.
Also read: I mastered the ball shot while playing rubber ball cricket: Suryakumar
“These include whey protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and joint health supplements, to name a few. The basic plan is modified from time to time based on game, training, and travel schedules. I plan the menu and suggest healthy alternatives and kitchens avoid monotony,” added Bhatia.
Surya’s extraordinary batting skills have left the cricket universe in awe, and this is the reward for an incredible amount of work he has put in to get to peak physical condition over the past year, resulting in better execution.
If Surya beat six in a 135km/h delivery from pacemaker Richard Ngarava was a combination of skill, timing and explosive power, caffeine could be one of the contributors.
Caffeine is an energy booster and is one of the “energy supplements” that Surya drinks, helping to generate explosive energy.
“I work with your strength and conditioning coach. They brief me on training protocols and the diet is adjusted accordingly. Supplements have been included that enhance power output. In general, the diet should match the intensity of training to get the best results.”
Surya doesn’t believe in cheat meals
The hunger to succeed and subsequent achievements require extreme sacrifices. The hardest part is letting go of the little joys in life, like ice cream at the end of a meal, or enjoying a lamb biryani or pizza.
Bhatia is extremely proud of her client.
“Surya has the mindset of an elite athlete and prioritizes his performance over everything else. Therefore, cheat meals are a rarity. He hasn’t craved junk or comfort food from the time he started following the diet.
“When it gets monotonous, there is room for healthier options. If you feel like it, cheat meals are strategically planned. I guide him with the amount and time of consumption so that he does not harm his performance”.
After Mumbaikar extended his dream run in the T20 World Cup with a scorching half-century against Zimbabwe on Sunday, head coach Rahul Dravid also spoke about how Surya has taken care of his body.
“If I look at Surya from a couple of years ago, just to see how he takes care of his body and the amount of time he puts into his fitness, I think he’s really earning the reward for a lot of the hard work that’s been in and out of the field. , and may it continue for a long time,” Dravid said.
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