Nutrition and Physical FitnessSome foods give energy and raise glucose levels only for a little while, leaving you tired and ready for a nap. Other foods give the same amount of energy but fuels your body for longer periods. Let’s talk about these foods.
Carbohydrates: The Optimal body FuelCarbohydrates in food are what give the body energy and stamina. It’s important to know which carbohydrate foods do the best job. Back in the 80’s and 90’s white flour pasta was touted as the athletes best friend.Everyone and their cousin were eating pasta. Today those in the “know” realize that eventually denatured white floured foods are going to wreck havoc on the whole body. Processed carbohydrates such as pasta are not the best choices for the athlete or the physically active person. The young body can certainly get away with eating processed carbohydrates for a while. However, as they get older, they begin to notice aches and pains, contract the flu easy, and they aren’t in a healthy weight range either. So what happened? They took their eyes off of nutrition and physical fitness. Eating the wrong foods when you are young can lead the body astray when you are older. They have no nutritional support in them. Processed foods like white pasta actually raise glucose levels too much and too fast. This offers a quick energy rush, and then it’s gone. Unprocessed, whole foods raise glucose levels slowly. They remain in the body for longer periods of time, giving the athlete the stamina he or she needs.
The Benefits of Healthy EatingThe best energy foods for the body are going to be complex carbohydrate foods. This is simply because they are full of fiber, which is good for the body. Having a healthy digestive tract is important for the athlete.Whole wheat bread, oatmeal, bran flakes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, beans and legumes are excellent foods for anyone, and especially the physically active person. Not only do whole grains offer the starch the athlete needs, but also essential vitamins and minerals to sustain the active body on. And that’s the key to a healthy body. Refined carbohydrates will not sustain the body for very long because these foods have had the nutrients stripped away from them. To sustain energy levels throughout the day, the physically active person needs to eat regular meals. These should be of protein, fat, and high fiber carbohydrates that have nutrients in them. For example, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products. Nuts and seeds are particularly important snacks for the athlete because they provide the body with protein, fat and carbohydrates. Fresh fish, turkey and chicken make great protein fueled meals plus offer other nutrients.
Lose Weight Through NutritionDo you need to lose weight? Losing weight can be a daunting task. The more we focus on dieting, the more we take our eyes off of nutrition and balance. We can often become discouraged in our weight loss program and end up overeating or eating the wrong foods.The idea is to forget about the fact that you have to lose weight, but focus on health, nutrition and physical fitness instead. Eat only whole, natural foods! Nutrition and physical fitness is an important part of losing weight. By focusing on the health of your body it will not only help you to lose pounds, but also give you a better understanding about nutrition through the foods you eat. Eat foods that are compatible with your body. Remember to ask yourself this question before you eat. Did a factory tamper with this food in any way? If the answer is yes, then don’t eat it.
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