Nutrition Information For Athletes-Are Protein Bars OK or Not?

Nutrition Information For Athletes That You Must Know- Protein Bars Or Not

Proper athletic nutrition is crucial for peak performance and health now as well as in the long term and the athlete diet menu should not be rutinely compromised. Perhaps due to shortage of time and the need for convenience athletes often ask if eating a protein bar is a good source of nutrients for meal replacement.

I would suggest avoiding nutritional bars since the nutritional content is, for the most part, not ideal.

While healthy diet for athletes with properly balanced menu should be the main source of nutrition, there is a limited place for supplements and the so called meal replacements.

Better Alternative To Protein Bars

Protein bars did have a place in bodybuilders sport bags when the powdered mixes available were only containing in the high teens to low twenties grams of protein. Now though these mixes are pushing the 60 gram threshold – something the bars can’t compete with. These bars are convenient but perhaps too convenient as they are high in saturated fats and sugars.

It may be less convenient for you but try to carry two sport bottles with you. One with good quality water and the other with a powder mix so that you can supplement your nutritional requirements.

Powders And Protein Bars Compared

Random Powder:

Just picking a random powder you can see the benefits over bars:

NB Isopure low-carb (packets) about $1.89 (USD$) per serving

Calories 220

Fat 0g

Saturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 450mg

Potassium 900mg

Carbohydrates 10g

Fiber 0g

Sugars 0g

Protein 42g

Random Bar

Your low-carb bar … PRICE ??? (more than $2.50, probably)

Calories 248

Fat 12.1g

Saturated Fat 3.7g

Carbohydrates 14.4g

Sugars 1.3g

Protein 23.4g

If you are in a real hurry and for some good reason that is not habitual are unable to get to healthy toxic chemical free nutritious food, then perhaps once in a while in cases of emergency these types of bars will not do too much damage. However, you should never use a bar or even a shake as a meal replacement on a regular basis.

It will be a good idea for you to keep a daily food diary if you aren’t sure of what portion of your meals are good and nutritious and if too much of meal replacement and junk food enters your body.

Please take advantage of this article information and use it. It will enhance your performance and improve your chances of staying healthy. Read and put into practice everything you can find and that makes sense to you on the subject of healthy diet for athletes and nutrition information for athletes.

Author: Ty Magnum

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ty_Magnum

Nutrition For Athletes Informative Video:

Nutrition For Young Athletes-6 Key Points-Avoid Common Myths

What Should Young Athletes Eat

Nutrition for young athletes is infinitely important as it is for all children. It is often claimed that athletic children need more nutrients, particularly protein, in their diet.

Young Athletes Protein Requirement

While kids who are athletically active use more energy and certainly require more calories to replace it, more protein does not, contrary to popular opinion, add up to more muscle. This misconception most likely stems from the deterioration associated with protein deficiency, an extremely rare condition among American children. Nutritionists recommend a mere 15% daily intake of protein for athletes, with 50% allotted for carbs the body’s primary fuel.

Young Athletes And Supplements

Another common misconception is that kids who are active athletes need more vitamins than children who are not athletic. While some supplementation with carefully chosen natural vitamins and minerals may at times be helpful, great caution is called for. Taking too many supplements can lead to an overdose. A healthy, balanced diet is always best. The need for supplements arises in case of poor food choices such as fast foods, junk foods and supermarket ready made meals when they form a regular diet. Even then no supplements can fully make up for a well balanced healthy diet menu.

Hydration For Young Athletes

Fluid requirements, on the other hand, are greatly elevated during any strenuous exercise, especially since lack of thirst is not considered a reliable indicator of sufficient hydration. The Center for Disease Control recommends drinking water every 15-20 minutes before, during and after exercising, especially in the heat. Avoid drinking pop and all carbonated drinks and also bottled reverse osmosis water as it is devoid of any minerals.

Bottled spring water is OK. Some athletes and nutritionists very highly recommend Kangen water.

To sum up the key points above, athletic children need extra food-energy but shouldn’t change the balance of calorie-type ratios in their diet. Even more important than a balanced diet for an athlete is constant attentiveness to their hydration schedule.

Timing Of Meals

Eating directly before a vigorous activity will slow athletic performance.

Sugar And Temporary Energy Boost Myth

The energy rush we get from sugar strolls by leisurely more than it rushes.

The body relies on stored energy in the form of glucose stored in the muscles and liver. So not only is the sugar useless, but it can even increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as cramps and nausea according to Suzanne Nelson Sc.D. RD, University of Washington.

Parents Role In Young Athletes Nutrition

Incorporate a little fun and variety in the menu of your young athlete. Keep in mind that meal times are a perfect opportunity to embed a positive outlook on healthy eating in your children. So try to keep it fun and avoid conflict. Also, feel free to indulge them in their favorite foods occasionally (variety is a great way to build excitement and a positive attitude towards nutrition). Just don’t compromise healthy eating right out of their routine. Consider keeping a daily food diary. It will help to make sure that you stay on track. Always remember who decides the menu. Balanced diet menu is healthy diet menu and it will provide good nutrition for young athletes.

By: Alex Tatarinov-Levin

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Nutrition For Young Athletes Lecture In Front Of Kid Athletes Video: