The 64th minute of the match between Lucerne and GC is underway at the Swissporarena. Francisco Rodríguez (21) is on the line ready to be substituted. But what is the youngest of the three Rodríguez brothers doing? He is quickly drinking a white liquid from a glass cup. Is it milk to perk him up? A latte macchiato? None of the above! It's an isotonic drink with vitamins and minerals.
For a few months now, Rodríguez has been relying on the services of nutrition coach Christoph Baggenstos. Rodríguez has changed his diet. Just like Thun's Christian Fassnacht (23), who is also a client of Baggenstos. Fassnacht: "I'm eating more consciously. I eat lots of carbohydrates, meat and vegetables." Rodríguez says: "Since I've been eating more consciously, I feel more lively and my running is at a better level."
Nutrition coach Baggenstos doesn't think much of the usual plate of spaghetti after the game: "The right diet is extremely important, especially for top athletes. After the competition, I focus on easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates in the form of rice, buckwheat or sweet potatoes." Or electrolyte-containing drinks before competitions.
If the athlete wants this, he looks at their nutrition diary with them and explains which ingredients produce which effects in the body. Baggenstos also gives the athletes cooking training. At the same time, however, he warns against too much determination: "Everything that is done to an extreme is unhealthy."
He therefore advises both athletes and normal professionals: "Eat 80 percent healthy, then you can also enjoy 20 percent."
And Rodríguez is also clear: "A cheat day, where I'm allowed to take something out of my diet, is fine."
FC LUZERN
2016/2017 season
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