Food for athletes!

Food is an essential part of an athletes' life: with all the training acquiring a lot of energy, as well as the need to maintain good health. Therefore, we really need to watch what we eat.

Carbohydrates are the most important energy sources; they fuel our muscles very quickly, they're also stored in the body for later use - this means they are long-term energy providers. For these reasons, it is important to eat plenty carbohydrates everyday. It is even more important and necessary to eat a lot of carbs the night before a competition.

However, it is best to eat something healthy and sweet the morning of the event. This is because sugar will give you short-term energy, supplying the fuel you need much quicker but not for a long period of time. A good choice would be fruits or yogurt. An example of a fruit containing high-amounts of energy is the Peach Palm. Examples of carbohydrates include: BREAD, RICE, POTATOES, PASTA and BREAK-FAST CEREALS ( whole grain is much healthier).

Keeping a balanced diet provides your body with the right amounts of all the food groups. Proteins do not really provide a major amount of energy, but they are needed in the body forthe making of tissues such as muscle, haemoglobin in the blood, hormones and enzymes.

Haemoglobin is found in the red blood cells, and is used to transfer oxygen around the body. This is important for athletes because our muscles need oxygen to work, and because we use them more than ordinary people, we need more oxygen to keep our muscles going. Although, too much protein is not good, for the excess protein will be broken down and stored as fat. Foods containing protein include: MEAT, FISH, CHICKEN, EGGS, CHEESE, MILK (from animals), LEGUMES, BEANS, LENTILS and PEAS (from plants).

By the way, eating large quantities of protein-containing foods will not help build huge muscles; to do this, you need normal amounts of proteins as well as a high-carbohydrate diet and the right amount and type of training.

 

By Johanna Bangala