Diet and nutrition 4.1 Flashcards
what are the seven food groups of a healthy diet
- carbohydrates
- fats
- fibre
- water
- protein
- vitamins
- minerals
what are the two types of carbohydrates?
- simple carbohydrates
- complex carbohydrates
what are simple carbohydrates?
- easily digested so are a rapid source of energy
- often found in process foods and anything with refined sugar added
- found in fruit
- good for quick energy replenishment e.g. between sets in a tennis game
what are complex carbohydrates?
- found in nearly all plant-based e.g. bread, pasta,rice
- take longer to digest due to being longer chains of glucose molecules resulting in a slower release of glucose into the blood and greater storage in muscles and liver
what type of exercise are carbohydrates the principle source of energy for?
high intensity and anaerobic work
how do carbohydrates provide energy?
they are broken down into glucose and enter the bloodstream. Then they are stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen (limited stores)
what is the glycaemic index?
- ranks carbohydrates depending on their effect on blood glucose levels
what does low glycaemic index mean?
- slower, sustained release of glucose into the blood meaning blood blood glucose levels are maintained for longer
- should be consumed 3-4 hours before exercise
e.g. beans on toast, pasta with a vegetable based source
what does a high glycaemic index mean?
- cause a rapid, short rise in blood glucose
- should be consumed 1-2 hours before exercise
e.g. fruit smoothies, cereal bars, yoghurt
what are unsaturated fats?
healthy fat which maintain levels of ‘good’ cholesterol
e.g. nuts, fish, avocados
what are saturated fats?
unhealthy fats which are usually from animal sources.
They contain LDL cholesterol which, if levels are too high, increase risk of heart disease and strokes
what are trans fats?
manufactured fats which are solid at room temperature
- directly linked to heart disease
- e.g. margarine, baked goods
why are unsaturated fats beneficial?
- they are a source of energy for low intensity, aerobic exercise allowing glycogen stores to be spared for higher intensity exercise
- aid the absorption of fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A,D,E,K)which keep the immune system healthy preventing time off training
why is too much fat in the diet bad for an athlete?
- causes weight gain and can lead to obesity:
-> limits agility
-> limits speed/power
-> limits stamina/endurance
-> limits flexibility - also can lead to high levels of blood cholesterol and lead to health problems such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure
function of protein:
- allow growth and repair of muscle and tissue growth (aiding muscular hypertrophy)
- also used to make haemoglobin (essential for any exercise)
- tend to provide energy when fat and glycogen stores are low (protein is a minor source of energy)
sources of protein
- fish, eggs, dairy products
what are vitamins?
essential nutrients which cannot be produced by the body and the body needs in small amounts in order to work properly
why can’t fat be used as energy for high intensity exercise?
Because it requires oxygen in order to be broken down into energy
function of vitamin D and where it can be found?
increased calcium absorption aiding strong bones and teeth
- main source is the sun but oily fish and dairy produce are sources
function of vitamin K and where can it be found?
helps to form proteins which are needed for blood clotting
- egg, liver oily fish, dairy foods
function of vitamin A and where can it be found?
important for vision and immune system
-eggs, leafy green vegetables, oily fish
function of vitamin E and where can it be found?
enhances immune system as it acts as an antioxidant
- vegetable oils