What exactly is natural sports nutrition and how can you add it to your diet? The answer is more simple than you would think. As an athlete who participate in sports, I mean any sports, whether it football, golf, baseball it is vital to have the proper natural nutrition that your body needs for ultimate fitness and health. The natural sports nutritional needs would be vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Any good sports nutritionist would tell you this.
Genetics plays a huge part in sports. It is often the different between a mere athlete and a world class athlete. In order to reach maximum potential and achieve the best performance it require sticking to a strict diet that will aid in helping you to achieve better health, fitness, strength and endurance.
One of the most important natural sport nutrients would have to be water. It is vital to consume the correct amount with a balanced diet that will help the body in generating more energy which in turn will greatly increase the overall athletic performance.
What are the factors to be considered in designing a complete and healthy natural sports nutrition program?
1. Hydration
Obviously, the most important thing in natural health nutrition is water. The significance of water can never be discounted because the human body is composed of sixty percent of it, and every bodily function cannot work without water. The good old eight-cups-of-water-a-day recommendation is essential because the body must replace the water it eliminates, like sweat and urine.
Here are some helpful reminders to maintain proper hydration:
-Instead of slugging humongous amounts of water in infrequent sittings, drink small portions in frequent durations.
-Cold beverages aid the body in cooling down body temperature, therefore cutting down the amount of sweating.
-One should drink 2-3 cups of water for every pound that the body losses after exercising.
2. Sources of Fuel
A balanced diet is another must for natural nutrition. Athletes must acquire the perfect combination of calories that can be consumed from protein, carbohydrates and fats, which are great sources of energy.
Carbohydrates are the most important fuel source, which can be found in foods such as breads, pastas, rice, fruits, vegetables and cereals. These foods can supply the body about seventy percent of the needed daily calories. Carbs provide the body the power and endurance it needs for short-duration activities that involve maximum level of intensity. This fuel comes from the energy given by sugar and starches that the body converts.
Here are strategies to maximize the potential of carbohydrates:
-Start loading up on carbohydrates at least several days before prior to the competition.
-The carb should be consumed in greater amounts in the duration of activities that lasts more than one hour to fend off the onset of fatigue.
Another imperative factor in natural sporting nutrition is proteins. Athletes should eat lots of dairy, eggs, meats, fish and chicken, along with nuts and beans. Protein supplies as much as fifteen percent of calories in the body. To determine the amount of protein needed by an athlete, the following factors should be considered: his fitness level, the type of exercise along with its duration and intensity, and his overall carb and calorie intake.
The last fuel source that is important for natural sports nutrition is fats. There are two kinds: saturated and unsaturated. Although it is a significant component in nutrition, the intake of fats should be strictly monitored. Too much consumption of fats may lead to major health problems such as cancer and heart disease.
Gaining maximum performance in you chosen sport will never be an easy take. Not only is mental and physical strength require but it will also take the athlete to follow a strict regime of eating that will be centers upon having the proper natural sports nutrition that is required. It will all prove to be worth it though when success is gained.
Michael Grant
Name:Mark Posted on: November 28, 2006, 7:50 pm Comment: I think protein is the most important factor if in sports nutrition if you are trying to build muscle. A good protein supplement is essential to you training program if you are a serious athlete. A good place to start when trying to get in shape is to cut back the portion sizes of your meals; by intaking less you will begin to see a change in your body composition. A wise athlete will do whatever it takes to make sure they stay healthy for every game; the more you eat right the better you will perform. To determine how much protein, carbohydrate and fat your body requires is best determined by calculating how much your ideal body mass is to your height to weigh body mass….
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