Any athlete knows it’s important to eat the best if they want to be the best, but not all competitors are making the big bucks and sometimes the grocery budget gets in the way. Behold this superfood: a powerful combination of flavor and essential nutrients that will give you the necessary fuel to break your opponent without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to fill your stomach without emptying your pocket then sardines can help give you the strength and stamina you need to reach peak performance… as long as you can withstand the smell.

1: B THE BEST

Sardines are a great source of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, with just one can containing nearly one and a half times your recommended daily intake. B12 is particularly beneficial to athletes as it can speed up metabolism and boost energy levels. 

2: KICK IT UP A NOTCH

This oily fish is a good source of minerals, one of which being calcium. Whether you’re attacking or defending, it only takes one solid leg strike to know how much it helps to have strong and healthy bones, so stock up on sardines and you’ll be kicking with confidence. 

3: MORE METAL

Because they have a higher risk of iron deficiency than the average person, an athlete must be sure to supplement their diet with this essential mineral. Snacking on sardines can give competitors the boost they need in training before they test their metal inside the cage. 

4: GOOD HEARTED

General wellbeing in body and mind is important for everyone, but especially for a professional athlete. Sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important part in brain function and have also been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. Be healthy, fight easy.

5: SEAFOOD SAVER

Nowadays the top guys in MMA are living comfortably and can afford a few of the finer things in life, but not all fighters can afford to dine on bluefin tuna every night. That’s why, at roughly 50 cents per 100g, sardines are the perfect dietary addition for any mixed martial artist who doesn’t yet have UFC gold on his mantelpiece. 

6: PACKED WITH PROTEIN

Like all fish, this oceanic food is a great source of protein. However, as well as being cheaper to buy than salmon, sardines also contain more protein than their rival super seafood, with an impressive 25g per 100g of canned fishy goodness.

7: ESSENTIAL INDEED

One can of sardines contains about half of your recommended daily allowance of phosphorus. It is an essential mineral that is important for growth and the repair of cells and tissue. It also helps organs such as the heart and kidneys to function properly. 

8: EAT CLEAN

Size definitely matters when it comes to ocean life, and being one of the smaller fish in the sea puts sardines at the lower end of the food chain. Bad news for them, but good news for us, this means sardines are lower in contaminants than most other fish.