Diet + Nutrition Flashcards
What is a balanced diet?
Sufficient, enough and correct amount of each component
What is a balanced diet essential for?
—optimum performance
—health
—weight
—energy Levels
What are carbohydrates used for?
—main energy source
What are the two types of carbs?
—simple= found in fruits - easily digested
—complex= found in plant base foods - takes longer to digest
What is glucose
A simple sugar + major source of energy for body cells - mainly found in the blood
what is glycogen?
stored form of glucose, found in muscles + liver
what does the glycemic index tell you?
how different carbs will increase blood glucose levels at different rates
what is the glycemic index for simple carbs?
–high
–so blood glucose levels rise faster
what is the glycemic index for complex carbs?
–low
–so blood glucose levels rise slowly
explain what a high GI means?
–blood sugar/glucose rises quickly
–within 30 mins blood sugar falls to below starting point
== fatigue + lack of energy
explain what a low GI means
–blood sugar/glucose rises slowly
–within 30 mins blood sugar falls gently to starting point
== so energy provided for longer period of time
what does the GI of foods help to tell us?
– release rate of carbs
–when we should consume foods in relation to training/competition
when should low GI foods be eaten?
3-4 hours before exercise
when should high GI foods be eaten?
1-2 hours before exercise
what is protein?
made up of amino acids + used in all body cells
what is protein important for?
–growth and repair
–making enzymes
–making hormones
–making haemoglobin
what are the exercise related functions of protein?
–minor source of energy
–used when body has exhausted glycogen + fat stores
–used for growth and repair of muscles
–high intake for some sports e.g: rugby,weightlifting,sprinting
–use for injury recovery to repair damaged tissue
what can too much protein cause?
damage to your liver and kidneys
what are the two types of fats?
–saturated
–unsaturated
what can too much unsaturated fat lead to?
–weight gain
–poor stamina
–poor flexibility
–coronary heart disease (CHD)
–diabetes
–high blood pressure (hypertension)
–poor thermoregulation (body overheats)
what is the link between saturated fats and cholesterol?
increase in saturated fats, increase in cholesterol
where is cholesterol made?
predominantly in the liver
what are the two ways in which cholesterol can be carried in the blood?
–low density lipoproteins= leave fatty deposits in the arteries + cause poor blood flow + O2 transportation
–high density lipoproteins= take cholesterol away from parts of the body where it has accumulated, taking it to liver + disposing of it
what is the function of unsaturated fats?
–help to transport vitamins– A, D, E + K
–act as an insulator
–provide energy when intensity is low + duration long
how are fats used for endurance athletes?
–source of energy for low int. exercise== less fatigue
–spare glycogen stores used at closing stage of the event – often high int.
–used for absorption of fat soluble vitamin D, maintaining bone density== reduced risk of injury
–maintains health + vital for optimal performance in training + competition