Let’s Talk About the Best Supplements for Football Players

If you play football professionally, you know how grueling of a sport it can be. Not only do you have to practice every day, but you also play games at least once per week, maybe more depending on where you’re playing. Of course, that takes a toll on your body overtime, especially if you’re not preparing and recovering well.

We all know about the importance of sleep, stretching, hydration and nutrition and it’s true that those are the fundamentals of your recovery, however there’s something to be said about correct supplementation as well. Even though we can get most of the vital nutrients from food, the reality is that it can be challenging to do so – even if your diet is healthy. And that’s where supplements enter the picture, as they’re an easy way to give your body what it needs, without having to eat exotic fruit and vegetables. 

In this article, we’re going to focus specifically on supplements for football players – which ones are essential, which ones you can probably skip and which are the ones to avoid. So if that sounds like something you’d be interested in, then keep on reading. 

Supplements for Football Players: The Basics 

If you go to a supplement store, you will see a scary number of all kinds of supplements – from creatine and protein to exotic-sounding things like ashwagandha and even something like turmeric powder. If you ask the person working there for recommendations, you will likely get offered all kinds of products that you either don’t really need or that are just not right for your sport. And we’re here to help you avoid that by providing you with a list of must-have supplements for football players. 

Protein Powder 

We all know that protein is one of the three macronutrients and we know how important it is for building and repairing muscles. That’s why, it’s a good idea to have a good source of protein on hand at all times. And that’s where protein powders enter the picture. They’re an easy, delicious way to get some extra protein in, on days when you’re on the road or you simply don’t have the time to enjoy long meals. For football players, they can be  a great option as a midday snack or as a post-match recovery shake, especially if you add some carbs in your shake. Depending on your dietary needs, you can find different kinds of proteins from all sorts of sources, but we recommend that you make sure the one you choose has all nine essential amino acids. 

Pre-Workout 

Pre-workouts are a great way to get a boost before a training session. Typically they contain caffeine and other forms of energy-providing chemicals that allow you to be wide-awake and ready for a session. They’re especially useful, if you’ve had a long day and you’re tired and not feeling ready to go and also for days when you haven’t gotten enough sleep. The good thing is that most pre-workout supplements also contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. There are even powders containing creatine –  a key supplement for increasing your strength and building muscle more easily.

Magnesium 

Magnesium is a must-do supplement for all athletes, not just football players. It’s key for helping your muscles recover better, calming your nervous system and ensuring that you avoid cramps, both in training and in a real game. Typically, we lose magnesium as we sweat, so one way to replenish it is with specific electrolyte drinks, however that may not be enough, so you should still consider getting a separate magnesium supplement, especially if you’re someone that tends to sweat a lot. 

Unnecessary Supplements

You will see some supplements getting heavily recommended online, but that doesn’t always mean that you need them. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

BCAA

BCAA stands for branch-chained amino acids and it’s a supplement powder (typically with a sweet taste) that’s promoted to help you recover better. The reality, however, is that if you already consume sufficient levels of protein and you do so from multiple sources – plants, meats, dairy, then you don’t really need it. Most protein sources contain at least a few of the essential amino acids and when you combine them together, you can get all nine, without having to buy a separate supplement. Not to mention that most protein powders nowadays contain all nine essential amino acids in their formulas, making this purchase even more unnecessary. 

Multivitamins 

Multivitamin supplements typically contain a wide variety of minerals, vitamins and even greens in small doses. Now, for the ordinary person, they may have some positive effects, but as a professional athlete they definitely won’t give your body what it needs. That’s why our recommendation is to have your doctor run tests and see what minerals and vitamins you’re deficient in – that way, you will know which ones you need to supplement and your efforts will be much more effective, then simply drinking multiple vitamins in small doses, some of which you don’t even need. 

In Conclusion

Choosing which supplements to get and figuring out which ones you absolutely need can be difficult. Especially when you’re younger and more easily influenced by marketing. However, when it comes to supplements, we always recommend keeping it simple and easy. You don’t need numerous powders and tablets that you wonder how to fit into your day and that cost hundreds of dollars. Instead, stick to the basics and be consistent – it’s guaranteed to give you the desired result.