As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or MMA athlete, nutrition is a crucial part of your performance, recovery, and overall well-being. With so many diet trends and eating strategies available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Among the most popular diets for athletes in combat sports are Keto, Paleo, and Carb-Cycling.

Each of these diets has distinct philosophies and benefits, but when it comes to BJJ and MMA, choosing the right one can impact your energy levels, endurance, strength, and recovery. In this article, we will compare Keto, Paleo, and Carb-Cycling, examining how they work, their potential benefits, and any drawbacks specific to BJJ and MMA athletes.

At Unorthodox Nutrition, we specialize in creating personalized nutrition plans that optimize your athletic performance. Read on to find out which diet may be the best fit for your training, competition, and overall goals.

Hydration is essential for everyone, but as you age, your body’s ability to retain water and maintain electrolyte balance changes. For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners, proper hydration becomes even more critical to optimize performance, recovery, and overall health. Understanding these changes and adopting effective hydration strategies can help you stay at the top of your game, even as you age.

Diet plays a crucial role in an athlete's performance, especially for fighters who rely on strength, endurance, and recovery to perform at their peak. One of the biggest debates in nutrition for fighters is whether a plant-based or meat-heavy diet is superior. While both diets have their merits, understanding the pros and cons of each is essential to making an informed decision that supports your training and performance goals.

In this article, we’ll compare plant-based and meat-heavy diets specifically for fighters, including their impact on energy levels, recovery, muscle gain, and overall health. Whether you’re considering transitioning to a plant-based diet or wondering how to optimize your meat-heavy meals, this guide will help you make the best dietary choice for your fighting career.

At Unorthodox Nutrition, we help fighters design nutrition plans that match their specific needs, from plant-based athletes to those who prefer a more carnivorous approach. Let’s explore the advantages and drawbacks of both diet styles for fighters.

As you age, recovery from the rigours of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can become more challenging. Chronic pain, joint stiffness, and inflammation are common complaints among practitioners over 40. While proper training and recovery strategies are essential, your diet also plays a significant role in managing inflammation, improving recovery, and supporting overall health. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your daily routine can help you stay competitive on the mats and feel better in your everyday life.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a dynamic and physically demanding sport that requires endurance, strength, agility, and mental focus. To perform at your best on the mats, it’s crucial to fuel your body properly with the right balance of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each of these macronutrients plays a specific role in supporting different aspects of BJJ performance, from energy production to muscle recovery.

In this science-backed guide, we’ll dive into how macronutrients—the building blocks of a balanced diet—directly impact your ability to train and compete in BJJ. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your conditioning or a seasoned competitor aiming to optimize your performance, understanding the role of macronutrients can help you achieve your goals.

At Unorthodox Nutrition, we specialize in creating personalized nutrition plans for BJJ athletes, helping them perform at their peak both in training and on competition day. Read on to discover how the right balance of macronutrients can give you the edge on the mats.

As you move into your 30s and 40s, staying lean and strong becomes more challenging yet more important—especially for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners. A slowing metabolism, changing hormone levels, and an increased risk of injuries mean you need a smarter approach to fitness and nutrition. This guide provides actionable tips on combining a nutrient-dense diet with proper strength training to maintain muscle mass, reduce body fat, and keep performing at your best on the mats.

Weight cutting is a common practice in mixed martial arts (MMA), where fighters drastically reduce their body weight to qualify for a specific weight class before the official weigh-ins. While weight cutting can be an effective strategy when done correctly, it’s surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can mislead fighters, especially those new to the sport.

In this blog, we’ll tackle and debunk some of the most prevalent myths about weight cutting in MMA. By understanding the truth behind these misconceptions, fighters can make more informed decisions, ensuring they cut weight safely and effectively, without compromising performance or health.

As always, Unorthodox Nutrition is here to help you develop a personalized nutrition plan that supports your training, weight management, and performance goals, especially during weight cuts.