Nutrition and different foods can have a serious impact on fitness and the well-being of the body. The body needs certain and necessary foods to increase fitness levels and to meet specific needs that it requires in a physical workout.
The muscles that a person would use in an exercise routine need nutrients that they should supply through diet, therefore, one should avoid unhealthy foods and stick to wholesome nutrient-filled meals. According to the Fitness Genie, proteins, vitamins, minerals, water, the lipids in fat and certain carbohydrates should be ingested daily. Athletes that train incredibly hard each day should ingest more servings of carbohydrates with every meal as carbohydrates are necessary to provide energy that the body needs during exercise workouts. Healthy fats should also be ingested as they support the metabolism of the body and they help the body to absorb certain nutrients. The best place to source the lipids in fat would be through nuts, seeds and oils such as olive or canola.
Protein plays a key role in the building of muscles and should, therefore, be checked and eaten according to what activities a person partakes in daily, as excess protein will be stored as fat. Vitamins and minerals play a significant role too as they aid in the body’s muscle contraction and the production of energy. If people do not consume enough of the correct vitamins and minerals that they are required to, there is a possibility that they will not be able to exercise in the way that they want to. It is especially imperative that one drinks a lot of water especially when working out as the body should always stay hydrated. When exercising, the body loses fluids through sweating and the body needs to stay hydrated as it keeps the heart rate steady and controls body temperature.
Once again, according to the Fitness Genie, the timing of meals is also important when considering fitness. Large meals should not be eaten less than 3 or 4 hours before a workout however it is acceptable and healthier to eat smaller snacks prior to exercise or during. Eating too much before an exercise routine could negatively impact the workout. Carbohydrates and protein foods can be eaten after workout sessions to aid in the repairing of muscles.
Nutritional supplements can also be taken when it is not easy to maintain a healthy diet. Supplements such as omega 3 fish oil tablets, multivitamins and fatty acid supplements can be taken to ensure that your body is receiving satisfactory nutrition to boost fitness levels.
Illustration: Giovanna Janos
