Balanced Diet for Athletes
Balanced Diet for Athletes
A balanced diet is a diet that provides all the essential nutrients in sufficient quantity and in the correct proportions to promote good health. The six main classes of nutrients are carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Good nutrition is essential for optimal performance of athletes. The nutritional requirements differ among athletes and these depend on their age, body size, and intensity of their sport or training programme. In athletes, good nutrition plays a pivotal role for prevention of injuries, which are often due to nutritional deficiencies. In general, an active athlete needs much more daily calories, ranging from 2200 to 3300 calories per day. It is recommended that at least 60% of the calories in athlete’s diet come from carbohydrate, not more than 30% from fat and 10-15% from protein. Including a variety of foods in diet is also essential to ensure appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. Lastly, adequate fibre should be included in the daily diet plan.
1. Carbohydrates * Complex carbohydrates, such as spaghetti, potatos and grain poducts should be the main source of energy for athletes because it would be stored in body as glycogen, which serves as the main fuel for exercise during the first 90 minutes * Eating simple carbohydrates, like sugar or honey, especially before exertion should be avoided as they result in drastic blood glucose level fluctuations, which may lead to premature exhaustion and dehydration * For events that require heavy exercise for more than 90 minutes, carbohydrate loading by taking a high-carbohydrate diet (10-12 g per kg body weight) eaten for 2-3 days before the event allows glycogen storage spaces to be filled
2. Fats * Maintain an adequate intake of the right kind of fats because it also serves as fuel to meet the increased energy demands of athletes in moderate to severe and prolonged exertions * Preferably of vegetable origin *
A balanced diet is a diet that provides all the essential nutrients in sufficient quantity and in the correct proportions to promote good health. The six main classes of nutrients are carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Good nutrition is essential for optimal performance of athletes. The nutritional requirements differ among athletes and these depend on their age, body size, and intensity of their sport or training programme. In athletes, good nutrition plays a pivotal role for prevention of injuries, which are often due to nutritional deficiencies. In general, an active athlete needs much more daily calories, ranging from 2200 to 3300 calories per day. It is recommended that at least 60% of the calories in athlete’s diet come from carbohydrate, not more than 30% from fat and 10-15% from protein. Including a variety of foods in diet is also essential to ensure appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. Lastly, adequate fibre should be included in the daily diet plan.
1. Carbohydrates * Complex carbohydrates, such as spaghetti, potatos and grain poducts should be the main source of energy for athletes because it would be stored in body as glycogen, which serves as the main fuel for exercise during the first 90 minutes * Eating simple carbohydrates, like sugar or honey, especially before exertion should be avoided as they result in drastic blood glucose level fluctuations, which may lead to premature exhaustion and dehydration * For events that require heavy exercise for more than 90 minutes, carbohydrate loading by taking a high-carbohydrate diet (10-12 g per kg body weight) eaten for 2-3 days before the event allows glycogen storage spaces to be filled
2. Fats * Maintain an adequate intake of the right kind of fats because it also serves as fuel to meet the increased energy demands of athletes in moderate to severe and prolonged exertions * Preferably of vegetable origin *