Post about "Nutrition"

When it Comes to Pregnancy Nutrition – Get the Facts

May 17, 2023· Category :Uncategorized· Comments Off

Planning for the best pregnancy nutrition requires expectant mothers to gather as much information as possible. While your doctor is a great resource for the most important nutrition facts, the library, bookstore, and Internet offer other options for learning how to meet your pregnancy nutrition needs.

Understand the Basic Nutrition Facts when Planning Your Pregnancy

Whether expecting a baby or not, the most important nutrition facts include the need for a balanced diet, proper hydration, and a mix of vitamins and other concentrated nutrients. Each of these criteria can become especially important where pregnancy nutrition is involved. After all, you want to help your baby grow and develop to its full potential, and eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of whole foods is a wonderful way to give your little one the best start in life.

Eating whole foods is a great way to get the pregnancy nutrition that is so vital, but many expectant mothers can also benefit from additional supplements. For example, your body may require extra calcium to help baby’s teeth and bones develop without completely robbing your own body of its resources. The nutrition facts show that by adding supplements with whole food ingredients, you can increase that calcium intake while benefitting from other nutrients at the same time.

Eating More of the Right Things

The mother-to-be will need to balance her growing need for calories with her continuing need to choose the right kinds of foods. Just because your recommended caloric intake goes up does not mean that these should be empty calories. By following the basic rules of good pregnancy nutrition, you are giving your baby every opportunity possible. This means that instead of simply eating more food, you make a conscious effort to eat more of the right kinds of food.

While supplements can certainly be an important part of your pregnancy diet, don’t overlook the basic nutrition facts. For example, fruits and vegetables are an incredible source of the nutrients that both you and your baby need. Fresh produce will have the most impact on your nutritional needs, with frozen fruits and vegetables coming in second. By making produce a part of your pregnancy nutrition routine, you are protecting the health of your child, not to mention taking care of your own dietary requirements.

Just as an expectant mother may require a boost in her calcium intake, she should also be sure to get folic acid in her diet. Also referred to as “folate,” this nutrient helps the fetus to develop properly. Whether taking folic acid as a supplement (check the nutrition facts on the label for the amount) or through your regular consumption of whole foods, it is essential for healthy pregnancy nutrition plans.

Have a Healthy Outlook

In a weight-obsessed culture, a woman may feel pressure regarding how much weight she should gain during her pregnancy. While you should always consult with your doctor to learn what is the right pregnancy nutrition plan and amount of weight gain for your situation, one way to avoid problems is to adjust your diet to make sure you are eating the healthiest foods available. Get all the nutrition facts you can and determine the best way to move forward.

If your pregnancy nutrition plan is full of healthy whole foods and nutrient dense foods, then you are going to be more satisfied and in better shape. As you gain weight, adhering to some basic nutrition facts will help you to be sure that it is for your baby’s benefit, rather than simply from eating empty calories that aren’t good for either of you.

N Is for Nutrition in Triathlon Training

April 10, 2023· Category :Health· Comments Off

Nutrition in triathlon training is probably one of the most important and yet overlooked aspect in amateur triathlon. Professional triathletes are hypersensitive to the need for nutrition both during training and during the race. Amateur triathletes however, tend to get lax in their nutrition or don’t plan their nutrition well enough and thus suffer the consequences of poor performance. To truly gain success in triathlon, you must focus in on your nutrition to get the best results.PERIODIZATIONThe first aspect of nutrition is periodization. It is very difficult to be in a strict diet in training year round. Personally, I have to have times where I “loosen the belt” and enjoy a good cheeseburger. So, understand that just as there is periodization in your training, there is periodization in your nutrition. For example, when you are narrowing in on race day you may become very strict in your diet about 8-12 weeks before race day. This gives you ample time to lose any extra weight you are carrying and to maximize your training days with quality foods. After the race, you may take a reward week to eat some extra food or enjoy a meal that just is not in your strict training diet. You shouldn’t feel bad about this cheat period and go enjoy a great desert. Once this cheat week or cheat day is over jump right back into your more strict diet to prepare for your next race. In the offseason, it is important to enjoy some not so strict foods, but be careful you can put on too much weight in the offseason.TRAINING NUTRITIONEach athlete is vastly different in terms of what they eat during training. Some of the base components of a good diet are quality carbohydrates (No McDonald’s), quality proteins such as fish, chicken, and lean meats, fruits (often overlooked) and vegetables. Some triathletes become so neurotic about these different aspects that they measure everything. As someone who is very busy this is difficult to do, however, once you find a pattern of good eating you will be able to implement a good diet for training. Do not go on a “diet” in that you minimize your calories so far that your training sessions end in weakness or “bonking.” Eat 6-7 times a day with quality snacks such as fruit, low-fat cheese sticks, or protein bars. Make sure to drink ample amounts of water as your training will require extra amounts of water to avoid dehydration. Finally, pick one nutritional pattern and stick with it instead of trying so many different fads.RACE NUTRITIONFor each triathlon race that you compete in, you will have certain nutritional issues that you will need to deal with. For Sprint and Olympic/International distance races, you will probably just need a pre-race meal. For long course races such as a half ironman or full ironman distance, you will not only need a pre-race meal but also need a nutrition plan for during the race. Currently, I take in 2 250 calorie Juices at around 2:30-3:00 am the day of the race. I eat a whole cinnamon and raisin bagel an hour before the race. I then use PowerBar Powergel Tangerine flavor gels before the race and during the race. I typically use a gel every:45 minutes on the bike and every:30 minutes on the run. I also use Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes before the race and at each of the intervals stated above for the gels. I also use Hammer Nutrition’s FIZZ in my water bottles for the bike. The process of me finding this mix of nutrition has take the last 6 years. Sometimes you discover things by trial and error such as my need for Accelerade during the race this last year.Nutrition is so important for overall performance. There is not a one-size-fits all approach. Find some best practices and begin the trial process for your own needs.