Elite athletes eat a lot of vitamins and minerals because of their different health benefits. For example, Omega-3, Vitamin D and C are all important when exercising. These three vitamins provide us with an improved immune function, muscle growth and omega 3 prevents our body from getting inflammations. Vitamin D and E are also antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemical molecules that protects our cells from oxidation. Vitamins and minerals are not the only nutrients an athlete need to eat. Elite athletes need to have a balanced diet that includes protein, carbohydrates and fats. They need to consume more calories than the average person. The amount of calories you need depends on your age and gender. An average 19-30 year, moderately active male needs 2600-2800 calories a day and the average female with the same age needs 2000-2200 calories a day. An elite athlete the same age needs to consume at least 1000 calories more than the average person because of the exercise an athlete does they also need more energy.
Nutrients can be found in different types of food. A good source for protein is dairy, meat, eggs, fish, beans and nuts. Carbohydrates can be found in fruits and starches. There are different types of fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat is the important fats your body needs. These fats can be found in nuts, avocados, fish. These two types of fat can decrease your risk of heart desease by lowering blood cholestrole levels. The fats that are bad for your body is trans fats and saturated fat. Elite athletes try to avoid these fats because they have been proven to increase blood cholestrole levels and higher the risk of getting diabetes type 2.
There are also bad and good carbohydrates and protein sources. The most important nutrients for an elite athlete is carbohydrates and protein. All the nutrients are important but those are the most important ones. Your body changes carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar and it stores in your muscles as glycogen. This is very important for an elite athlete because they exercise a lot. When you exercise your body turns the glycogen into energy and that is how carbohydrates gives us energy.. And obviously you need energy while exercising. Protein is also very important because it makes up muscle tissue which helps to keep our bodies healthy and active. The best sources for protein is eggs (one medium cooked egg contains 6 g of protein), milk, yoghurt and then fish and sea food. Fish and sea food is very good because it also contains high levels of omega 3.
Nutrients can be found in different types of food. A good source for protein is dairy, meat, eggs, fish, beans and nuts. Carbohydrates can be found in fruits and starches. There are different types of fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat is the important fats your body needs. These fats can be found in nuts, avocados, fish. These two types of fat can decrease your risk of heart desease by lowering blood cholestrole levels. The fats that are bad for your body is trans fats and saturated fat. Elite athletes try to avoid these fats because they have been proven to increase blood cholestrole levels and higher the risk of getting diabetes type 2.
There are also bad and good carbohydrates and protein sources. The most important nutrients for an elite athlete is carbohydrates and protein. All the nutrients are important but those are the most important ones. Your body changes carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar and it stores in your muscles as glycogen. This is very important for an elite athlete because they exercise a lot. When you exercise your body turns the glycogen into energy and that is how carbohydrates gives us energy.. And obviously you need energy while exercising. Protein is also very important because it makes up muscle tissue which helps to keep our bodies healthy and active. The best sources for protein is eggs (one medium cooked egg contains 6 g of protein), milk, yoghurt and then fish and sea food. Fish and sea food is very good because it also contains high levels of omega 3.