Treats to cheat yourself fit

Save the guilt and break your diet the right way

Bagel pizzas with ham and pineapple

A note of caution: while this should in no way form the main part of any footballer’s diet, it can certainly be a not-too-unhealthy break from your strict high-protein, low-fat regime. And it’s not all bad: the bagel (with a tiny bit of cheese) contains a healthy hit of carbs and the bromelain enzyme in pineapple aids digestion.

Chicken and mango curry

Typically twinned with post-match beers, this healthy option is actually a matchwinner. The turmeric in curry sauce contains the spice curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory powers. Coconut milk is flowing with electrolytes like potassium, calcium and chloride – all lost during your sweaty training sessions.

Fish and chips

Traditional English fare with a twist: shallow-fried chips (cooked in FryLight) with a grilled salmon fillet. Sorry, battered cod from the chippy won’t do. The vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon will improve bone health and cardiovascular fitness, while the chips will give you energy and the fortitude to eat well at all other times. Hopefully.

Also see:
Post-match pomegranate anyone?
Power-packed football sarnies
The ultimate matchday meals
Get the babies on board
Spice up the water
Bite-sized get up and go
Eat for energy and intensity
Eat for the off-season