Benefits of olives for athletes

Athletes, and even not-so-athletes, are well aware of the foods that are beneficial for people who do sport regularly: rice, chicken, egg whites, green vegetables, etc.

But did you know that olives are also ideal for athletes? Here we explain why they help an athlete’s body, how to choose them and how to include them in your daily diet.

Why do olives help sportsmen and women?

Olives help to hydrate the body, ideal for when you have finished a tough training session. They also contain fibre and essential amino acids, two nutrients that promote recovery after sport.

And watch out, olives help to prevent cramps! If you suffer from cramps, it is advisable to eat several olives before you start training.

How to choose the best olives to help you with your sport?

If we look at the nutritional value of olives in their natural state, they contain 115 calories per 100 grams, a fairly low number of calories. If we eat them stuffed or seasoned, their values change slightly. But don’t worry, olives are generally a very healthy food, even if they are stuffed or dressed.

What you should bear in mind when choosing one type of olive or another to accompany your sporting activity is that olives in their natural state are low in calories and salt. However, be careful with those that are accompanied by pickles, because they have a higher salt content.

How to include olives in your daily diet?

Get ready to expand your repertoire of foods to add to your diet to improve your health and recovery after sport! Here are our suggestions:

• Banderillas
• Salads (vegetable or chickpea) with olives
• Olive pâtéBlack olives with paprika oil
• Eggs stuffed with mushrooms and olives