Nutrition and the athlete
Physical exercise is only part of the jigsaw puzzle of getting fit. To boost your athletic performance and enable yourself to train to the best of your abilities, you need to sort out your nutrition. Below, Wilf Jenkins, a nutrition expert, explains all you need to know about eating to get fit. From making sure that alcohol doesn't impair your training, to working out just how many calories you need when exercising, the articles below will guide you through to the peak of condition.
Alcohol and the athlete
Athletes - just like anybody else - can experience the adverse effects of alcohol. Being fit is no protection from the risks of drinking too much! But what effect does alcohol have on athletic performance if you drink just moderately?
Calories and the athlete
The only thing that influences whether we gain, lose or maintain weight is the number of calories we take in compared with the number of calories our bodies use up. This is just as true for the athlete as it is for everyone else.
Glycaemic index and the athlete
You can significantly improve your performance by eating the right mix of complex and simple carbohydrates. Getting the right balance will give you an energy boost just when you need it and it is not as hard to achieve as it might sound. All you have to know is a food's glycaemic index.
Glycaemic index of a range of foods
This article gives the glycaemic index (GI) of a range of common foods.
Vitamins and minerals and the athlete
For a long time it was believed that the body only needed proteins, fats, carbohydrates and a number of minerals to stay fit and healthy. But then it was discovered that these dietary components were not enough - tiny amounts of other materials were essential to keep the body functioning. These vital ingredients were named vitamins.
Weight management and the athlete
In Western society a firm, lean body is highly prized and something the great majority of people wish they had. Yet, in spite of this, nearly 50 per cent of adults in the UK are overweight and the numbers are increasing. This article looks at how you can make sure that your exercise is giving you a healthy body
