Healthy Eating For Surfers

Surfers exert a lot of energy. From paddling to catching a wave, you’re continually strengthening your body through the endless hours you spend out in the surf and if you’re a beginner surfer, you’re using muscles you never knew you had. This means one thing, eat nutritious foods before, during and after your surf and we swear you’ll feel 100x better out there.

The key to keeping energized is being smart before your surf session. A lot of surfers think they’ll only stay out for an hour, but then the waves start to get really good and an hour turns into 2 or 3. With that said, fuel up on foods that are easy to digest, and pack a punch, here are a few of our favourites.

Photo Credit: The Green Creator

Before You Surf

You heard through the grapevine that the surf is going to be pumping tomorrow morning, and so you set your alarm for extra early, to wake your body up with good food before you surf. We recommend eating an hour or 2 before you surf to ensure your body gets the right nutrients it needs.

• Our go-to before surf meal: Acai bowl packed with protein and good fats. We typically add almonds, coconut oil or nut butter and banana to the mix to really enhance your energy with good foods.
• Not a fan of Acai bowls? Have a bowl of Greek yogurt with fruit/nuts or whole grain toast with nut butter.

Photo Credit: Cooking Light

Healthy Eating During Your 3-Hour Surf Session

Surfing for a few hours? Pack a snack with you. We know that probably sounds silly as you don’t have anywhere to put it, but find a place as you’re exerting a ton of energy and need to keep your electrolytes up. Take a break every hour to give your body the re-set it needs.  

• Bring a banana or make your own power bar and drink lots of water with you.

Photo Credit: SurferToday.com

Recovery Meal

Refuel, recover, rest. Eat 30-45 minutes after your session and keep fueling up on all the goodness that is in whole foods.

• Rice and beans with fresh fish and vegetables
• A big salad with all the fixings. Here’s our favourite; red leaf lettuce with carrots, kale, broccoli, purple cabbage, garbanzo beans, and goat cheese.

When you eat whole foods and surf your heart out, your body will thank you for giving it all the nutrients it needs. Remember that everyone’s bodies are different, so talk to a nutritionist before you embark on long surf sessions to learn just what your body needs and when. Then go out there and have the time of your life surfing and eating healthy for the whole world to see.