Discover these tips on nutrition for sport and a healthy living

The sport and healthy life diet must have two basic components;
Enough fuel to meet training and sport demands
Essential nutrients for a good healthy life

Nutrients

Carbohydrate - for energy
Fat - for energy
Protein - for growth and repair of tissue
Vitamins - for growth and repair of tissue
Minerals - for regulation of body processes
Dietary Fibre - for regulation of body processes
Water - for regulation of body processes

Carbohydrates
There are two main types of carbohydrates
complex:
Breads, rice, cereals, pasta, biscuits, potatoes, peas, sweetcorn,parsnip,carrots,dried beans and lentils,fruit, milk and yogurt.
Simple:
Sugar, honey, jams, marmalade's, confectionery, cakes, soft drinks and cordials, sweet biscuits and flavoured mineral water.
Complex carbohydrates also contain vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre and are therefore better for you.
Simple carbohydrates are high sugar content and high in fat content.

Fat
A small amount of dietary fat is necessary for good health.
It is recommended that the amount of fat in the diet be kept to 25% to 30% of total kilojoules consumed.
Sources of dietary fat; cream, sour cream, butter, margarine's, full cream milk, cheese, ice-cream, yogurt, nuts, chocolate and snack foods.

Protein
Protein is essential for building and maintaining the body's tissues, such as muscles, skin, hair and blood. Protein also helps in the formation of antibodies.
The basic units of protein are called amino acids , 9 of these cannot be produced by the body and so must be consumed in the diet.The recommended daily amount of body weight.Sources of protein are; lean meat, eggs, dairy produce, fish and poultry, vegetables, nuts, bread,rice, etc.

Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins C, B, folate, pantothenic acid and biotin are easily passed by the body and so need to be included in the daily diet. Vitamins A, D, E and K are stored in the fatty tissues of the body and therefore can accumulate over time if an excess is consumed.

Minerals are required for nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
The two most important minerals are iron and calcium.
Sources of iron are; lean red meat, liver and green leafy vegetables.
Sources of calcium are; low fat dairy foods.
(To increase calcium retention, minimise caffeine and salt intake.)
Vitamin and Mineral tablets should only be used if your diet does not contain enough.

Dietary Fibre
Dietary fibre consists of plant material such as cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, polysaccharides, gums, mucilage and lignin.
These are found in wholegrain cereals,fruit,vegetables, nuts and legumes.
dietary fibre slows down the release of sugars from food and gives a move sustained release of energy.

Water
Water is essential for the body to function properly.
Water is passed regularly by the body and through the lungs and skin, so it needs to be replaced.
Thirst is not a good indicator to replace water lost through exercise.
It is recommended that you drink 2litres of water a day.