Slater in the spot at Pipe Photo: Brian Bielmann/ Volcom Pipe Pro
Ever wonder what Kelly Slater is eating to stay fit, compete with vigor, and win events like his recent victory at Pipe? Sitting front row at the Volcom house, I watched him snack on almonds and an avocado in between semifinals: two foods among many that are healthy sources of energy that also reduce inflammation. Could these two snacks be the key to high performance? Let’s break these foods down.
Almonds are notably high in magnesium and potassium among other vital nutrients. Magnesium opens arteries and blood vessels, improving blood flow which allows oxygen and nutrients to move freely. It also helps with the absorption of calcium, a mineral needed for muscle control, nerve function, and acid/base (pH) balance in the blood stream. Potassium, an important electrolyte, activates nerve transmission and muscle contraction. A healthy dose of these vital minerals keeps the body relaxed and the nervous system communicating effectively. When levels of these two minerals drop, one will experience muscle spasm, cramping, and loss of energy.
Photo: Shutterstock.
Avocados are packed with many phytonutrients, monounsaturated fats, copper, magnesium, Vitamins C, E, K and B6. Avocado also has a high dose of Vitamin K. This vitamin is overlooked most of the time because it’s not common to be Vitamin K deficient. Instead, we tend to look at the benefits of more common vitamins such as Vitamin C and E that we need to actively incorporate into our diet. However, Vitamin K is very important for bone health. It is converted during digestion, and this process activates Osteocalcin, a non-collagen protein in the bone. Osteocalcin holds calcium molecules inside the bone preventing osteoclasts, cells that break down bone, from producing in excess.
Photo: Shutterstock.
Avocados are also unique when combined with other whole foods such as leafy greens and carrots. Recent studies show when consumed together avocados aid in carotenoid absorption as well as conversion of beta-carotene into Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant. Carotenoids are essential for healthy skin because they attack and destroy free radicals. This is especially good news for surfers since we are especially subject to skin damage from all the time we spend in the sun.
So what can we learn from Slater? Well, for one, we can see that there are many performance benefits to eating healthy, which in his case included winning the Pipeline Pro. Like Slater, if we treat our food as fuel for strength and endurance, we will see our energy levels increase and our physique change. Then, those post session cheers and beers (organic of course) are all the more worth it!
