Why Avocados Are Part of My Athletic Training Plan
By: Levi Jefferson
For most of my life, tennis has been my primary sport. I competed as a nationally ranked USTA tennis player, and I’m currently still playing on my high school tennis team this season.
Tennis taught me discipline, endurance, and how to push myself physically and mentally.
But recently, I decided to give myself a new challenge.
I’m working toward making my high school football team next fall.
At 6’2½” and 163 pounds, my goal is to reach about 175 pounds while staying fast, explosive, and athletic. I'll need speed, strength, and the ability to absorb contact, which means I need to build lean muscle while maintaining agility.
That requires serious training — and serious nutrition.
Organic avocados from my family ranch have become an important part of that process.
Why Nutrition Is Critical When Changing Your Body for a New Sport
Transitioning from tennis to football requires changing my body composition.
Tennis emphasizes endurance and quickness. Football requires more strength, muscle mass, and explosiveness.
To build lean muscle, your body needs:
• Enough calories
• Enough protein
• Healthy fats
• Proper recovery nutrients
Protein helps build muscle, but healthy fats play a huge role in hormone production, recovery, and sustained energy.
One avocado contains about 240 clean calories, along with healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium, fiber, and essential nutrients that support muscle growth and recovery.
This makes avocados one of the best foods athletes can eat.
How Avocados Help Me Gain Lean Muscle While Staying Fast
One of my biggest priorities is gaining muscle without slowing down.
Avocados help by providing clean calories that support muscle growth without inflammation or energy crashes. They also support testosterone production, which plays an important role in strength and muscle development.
They help my muscles recover faster so I can train consistently.
Recovery is just as important as training.
Avocados Help Athletes Maintain Peak Performance Too
If you are an athlete that has already reached your goal weight, you still need sustained energy, endurance, and recovery.
Avocados help by:
• Providing long-lasting energy
• Supporting muscle recovery
• Preventing fatigue and cramping
• Helping the body absorb nutrients
This applies to athletes in many sports, including:
• Tennis
• Football
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Track and field
Whether you’re gaining muscle or maintaining performance, avocados help support your body.
My Favorite Athlete Meals with Avocados
These are some of the meals I eat regularly:
Breakfast
• Eggs with avocado
• Avocado toast with eggs
• Smoothie with avocado
Lunch
• Chicken, rice, and avocado bowl
• Turkey sandwich with avocado
Dinner
• Steak, potatoes, and avocado
• Salmon, rice, and avocado
Snacks
• Avocado toast (I add microgreens, cherry tomatoes, everything bagel seasoning)
• Avocado with sea salt
These meals help support muscle growth, recovery, and performance.
Fueling My Athletic Goals
Making the transition from competitive tennis to football is a new challenge, and nutrition is a huge part of that journey.
Avocados help me get the calories, nutrients, and recovery support I need to build lean muscle and perform at a higher level.
Whether you're trying to gain muscle, maintain athletic performance, or simply stay healthy, nutrition matters.
Avocados are one of the best foods you can eat to support athletic performance naturally.
