Nathan Lovett-Murray

This month we take to the footy field to talk health with Essendon’s young star Nathan Lovett-Murray

What kind of foods do you eat to stay healthy?

For footballers especially it’s important to eat lots of pasta and rice. We also eat lots of veggies and salads that are really important being an athlete. For people just generally it’s important not to eat too much junk food and to eat as much healthy foods as you can. Also drinking more water and not too much soft drink is important.

How does it make you feel when you’re eating healthy foods?

It makes me feel deadly when I’m eating healthy, and I try to tell friends and family I try to talk to them about the importance of eating healthy foods and looking after your body.

What sacrifices have you had to make?

Well, I guess there’s a lot to do with your diet and what you can and can’t eat, so you can’t go out and eat junk food all the time. Then there’s not drinking much alcohol. You can’t always go to parties because you can’t be out too late, you’ve got to get your sleep.

Has being involved in sport helped you stay clear of cigarettes and drugs?

Yeah, definitely. I got to an age when I was a teenager where I had friends and cousins who were sort of going down the wrong track and doing all that. To be a footballer, I had to go down the right track. That’s where I had to make the decision and not really hang around those people because I wanted to be a footballer and I wanted to make it to the elite level. So it was a decision that I had to make.

How do you stay mentally strong and keep positive when things aren’t going your way or your feeling down?

That’s when you need your family around and your really close friends. You need the right people supporting you and saying the right things. It’s always good just to talk to people about what’s going on in your life. If something is getting you down talk to someone about it.

What’s your health tip for young people?

I guess  just doing 30 minutes of activity two to three times a week,  being active and not sitting around on the coach watching TV all the time, and getting out there and playing sports with your mates and just getting involved in team sports.