We all know how important it is to get in your 5-a-day. But we also know how challenging it can be to actually get teenagers to do this. Whether it’s because of picky eating habits, lack of time, increased nutrient needs or lack of access to the right foods, getting in 5 portions of fruit and veg each day is a struggle that most youth athletes and parents face.

Why is fruit and veg so important to youth athletes?

Sports nutrition often focuses on the importance of carbohydrates and protein for youth athlete’s, with little mention of the micronutrients. And while getting the right kind of fuel in the tank is essential to performing well, recovering efficiently, and staying healthy too, the need for vitamins and minerals in the diet can’t be overlooked! Fruit and vegetables are the best source of the different vitamins and minerals, so youth athletes should be sure to include plenty with each meal ^[1].

Believe it or not, but the amount of fruit and veg that you put on your plate can have a huge impact on how well you perform and even whether you can perform at all (by keeping you healthy and injury free)!

As well as keeping you healthy, vitamins and minerals also have a direct effect on sporting performance too and are needed for everything from bone health and muscle repair to oxygen transport and energy production, as well as many more ^[2].

What about for picky eaters or athletes who don’t have time for a full meal?

While a food first approach is always best and one that we champion here at YSN, we know there are always times when getting in a plate full of fruit and veggies just isn’t an option. Whether you’re travelling for training or a competition, struggling to find time for a nutritious meal between school and workouts or just don’t really like fruit and veg, we’ve got your back!

PRO-TEEN® has been specifically designed with youth athletes nutritional needs and sporting lifestyles in mind. It’s far more than just another protein shake, offering a convenient and delicious way to get in all of the micronutrients teen athletes need to support their health, recovery, growth, development, and sporting performance too.

Which micronutrients does PRO-TEEN® contain?

The unique formula contained in PRO-TEEN® is an optimal blend of the three macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) as well as 16 essential micronutrients all included to support health, recovery and performance and to prevent deficiency. Each shake provides youth athlete’s with ^[3]:

B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5. B6, B7, B9, B12) – needed for the conversion of food to energy, oxygen transport and brain health [3]

Vitamin C- needed for the functioning of the immune system

Vitamin D- essential to bone health, muscle repair and immune function.

Potassium- an electrolyte that helps to control the balance of fluids in the body

Zinc- needed to help make new cells and enzymes as well as for cognitive function and memory

Iron- needed to make red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body and to the muscles

Calcium- essential to bone health and formation and muscle contraction

Phosphorus- essential to bone health and is needed for the conversion of food to energy

Magnesium- is needed for the conversion of food to energy and for muscle relaxation

So, if you’re struggling to hit your 5-a-day, or if your youth athlete won’t entertain the idea of eating their greens then why not give PRO-TEEN® a go and reast easy knowing their bodies are getting what they need.

Want to learn more about the macronutrients in PRO-TEEN® too? Take a look at this article here.

References

1. Godswill, A. G., Somtochukwu, I. V., Ikechukwu, A. O., & Kate, E. C. (2020). Health Benefits of Micronutrients (Vitamins and Minerals) and their Associated Deficiency Diseases: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Food Sciences, 3(1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijf.1024
2. Hannon MP, Flueck JL, Gremeaux V, Place N, Kayser B and Donnelly C (2021) Key Nutritional Considerations for Youth Winter Sports Athletes to Optimize Growth, Maturation andSporting Development. Front. Sports Act. Living 3:599118. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.599118
3. nhs.uk. 2021. Vitamins and minerals. [online] Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/> [Accessed 20 September 2021].