Thursday, October 29, 2009

Nutrition Essentials for Athletes

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of an athlete’s career. Still, many athletes do not realize the importance of this or they’re just simply clueless about the subject. Not knowing anything about nutrition will lead to bad habits that then result in an unsuccessful career. Take for instance bodybuilders who take weight loss to the extreme before a competition. Extreme weight loss produces a lot of stress on one’s body and this can lead to a difficulty in increasing muscle mass and strength over the long-term. Nutrition simply is eating the right food, at the right amount, and at the right time. Knowing this is not enough, you also need to practice it. This entails you to strictly monitor and record your food and calorie intake and abide by nutritional principles.

The book “Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete” states that an exclusive high-protein diet negatively affects an athlete’s training and career. Catherine Jackson, the book’s author, explains that eating purely protein for a prolonged period often causes irritability and lowers stamina. This can be remedied by initially consuming adequate amounts of calories. I’ll list here some basic and valuable guidelines on nutrition to help you with your training.

Dwindling Strength - Strength is an important factor in maintaining a regular training program and too little protein affects strength. It would be ideal if you were getting your supply of protein from a variety of sources. It would be better if you source your protein from organic products such as chicken breasts (or white meat), egg whites and soy-based products.

Being moody and irritable - A lack of carbohydrates in one’s diet is correlated with moodiness and irritability. These mental states are often caused by low-blood level due to inadequate consumption of carbohydrates. In addition, a lack of carbohydrates will affect your ability to focus. Maintain healthy blood sugar levels by eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day, combined with protein to slow down blood sugar absorption.

Increase in sick days - Being sick all the time is a sign that your immune system is weakened. Combat this by incorporating different food groups into your diet. Consume foods that are high in B vitamins and minerals such as milk, fish and soybeans.

Decreased speed - If you think your pace is on a decline then you might not be getting enough energy before your workout. You’ll need to eat some type of carbohydrate at least 1 hour before your training session, if you want to increase your speed.

Low Motivation - Losing drive is often a sign of exhaustion. Proper diet and nutrition and enough rest will bring back your initiative in no time. Make it a habit to eat small meals over the course of a day. Professional athletes are commonly known to eat mini-meals every 2 to 3 hours. This helps in maintaining a stable blood sugar level needed for training.

Your training efforts would not mean much if you’re not following a sound nutritional plan. Consider taking natural supplements, such as Stemulite, to strengthen your nutritional regimen. Eating alone is sometimes not enough and so supplements can help make up for any nutritional deficiencies. Take Stemulite together with a proper nutritional regimen to boost your training results and performance.

Posted by stemulite at 09:36:03 | Permalink | Comments Off

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

How Whey Protein Shakes Balance A Bodybuilder’s Diet

A growing body of research shows that bodybuilders and athletes can improve performance and muscle gains when consuming whey protein shakes and products. Whey protein is a derivative of real milk and not only supplies the body with protein, but also contains high concentrations of calcium, magnesium and other minerals that are absorbed readily in liquid form. Whether you’re on a muscle gaining diet or want to lose body fat, consuming whey protein shakes before and after your workout can power up your fitness routine and give you better results overall.

Author Gregg Avedon, of the book “Men’s Health Muscle Chow”, emphasizes the need for bodybuilders to have a diet of lean protein supplemented by at least one whey protein drink every day. Outlined below are the top benefits a training athlete or bodybuilder can gain from whey protein drinks.

  • Easily absorbed by the body. The nutrients in whey protein are easily absorbed if the drink is taken after a workout. In addition, most whey protein formulas are a good source of vitamins and minerals for those that lead a busy lifestyle.
  • Suitable for lactose intolerants. Bodybuilders who are allergic to milk products can safely drink whey protein drinks. These drinks are made with egg protein, soy protein and calcium caseinate; giving the same nutrition as milks without lactose.
  • Rich in amino acids. The body needs high quality protein and essential amino acids to function optimally. Whey protein powders and shakes contain high concentrations of amino acids that aid with protein synthesis and can balance out any nutrition program.
  • Varied uses. Aside from shakes and drinks, whey protein powders can be mixed with other foods to create variety in one’s diet. Whey protein powders can be mixed into yogurt, cereals, and oatmeal for breakfast. Fresh fruits can also be added into protein smoothies to create different recipes. Lastly, the nutritional value of broths and soups can be enhanced with protein powders.
  • Aids in muscular development. Bodybuilders can benefit well from taking in whey protein immediately after a workout. Our muscles are in need of nutrition to repair itself after being pushed to its limit because of an intensive workout. Drinking whey protein right after a workout promotes faster muscular development.
  • Regulates appetite. Whey protein drinks can be consumed as a meal replacement or a supplemental snack. Protein gives off energy to our bodies slowly and for a longer period. This results in a reduced appetite thus helps bodybuilders get the timing of their diet right.
  • Improves metabolism. Whey protein consumed at timed intervals provides essential nutrients and energy throughout the day. This practice also helps in getting your metabolism to function optimally.

Natural Supplementation is a Beneficial Way To Support Your Well Being and Improve Your Performance. Stemulite is a New, All-Natural Supplement, Used by Many Body-Builders and Athletes. People Also Frequently Report Having a Deeper, and Fuller Sleep when Taking Stemulite Before Going to Bed.

Posted by stemulite at 03:52:43 | Permalink | Comments Off