The New York Times published an article ?Should Athletes Eat Fat or Carbs?? last week which was based on a study that shows a diet comprised of 85 percent fat can help improve overall performance for ultra-endurance athletes more than the traditional high-carbohydrate diet considered best for athletes. And by fat, they mean good fats that come from foods like nuts, avocados, and extra-virgin olive oil ? not your cheeseburgers and French fries. But before you throw all your healthy eating rules out the window, it′s important to note that this recommendation is not for most of us ? these recommendations for real athletes. We′re talking about people who exercise for a living ? think NBA players, Olympic swimmers, or professional marathoners.
Let′s be honest: Most of us don′r run more than two marathons a week or work out at all hours of the day, so this way of eating is not recommended, even for high school and college players and people who exercise regularly. However, this information certainly brings into question traditional thinking and, as so often with these studies, leaves us wondering if this type of eating could benefit other types of athletes or moderately active people. We?ll need to continue to watch the research for more answers.
It′s important to remember that carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy, well-balanced diet and provide fuel for your workouts in the form of glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscles. Fat, however, must be broken down into fatty acids before it can be used as fuel, and only endurance athletes who vigorously exercise throughout the day are able to use up all their glycogen stores before their bodies start using fat. A ketogenic diet, like the ones the article reviews with 85 percent of the diet from fat, forces your body to use fat more readily as an energy source. This is referred to as a ?ketoadaption? and takes several weeks to achieve.
Still, it′s not a good idea to overdo it on carbohydrates or fat for all your meals. Fats should only comprise 20 to 30 percent of your total daily calorie intake per meal (think two slices of avocado). Carbohydrates should make up 40 to 50 percent of your meal, and sources of good carbohydrates include vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Government experts have offered suggestions for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, (due to be published in the fall) which encourage Americans to cut down on meat, added sugars, and starchy, high-carb foods and include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats into their diets.
?The move toward reducing the amount of carbohydrates recommended for the general public is because most of us are not active. We sit too much! When we don′r move, or if we move for only an hour a day, we′re not utilizing all the carbohydrates we are eating, and therefore we continue to gain weight and increase our risk for chronic diseases. For the most part, we are moving too little and eating too much and especially carbohydrates because they are easy, available, and taste good,? says Maureen Namkoong, MS, RD nutrition and fitness director at Everyday Health.
There′s a place for good carbohydrates and fats in a balanced diet. Good carbohydrates and fats give you energy, may help you lose weight, and promote cardiovascular health. But too much of a good thing can be bad ? and this is true for fats and carbs, too.
Related News
How to Lose Weight Fast: 3 Simple Steps, Based on Science
Mans lips exploded after he became 'addicted' to fillers
10 Benefits Of Climbing Stairs ? An Underdog In The World Of Fitness
6 Foods You Can Incorporate In Your Fat Burner Diet For Best Results
Weight-lifting and protein shakes rich in growth hormones may make you bald
Mushrooms could prevent risk of Dementia, scientists say
23 foods that contain NO calories
7 Must-Eat Fermented Foods for a Healthy Gut
Most Read
★Scientists found effective dandruff treatment
★Outdoor Activities to Lose Weight
★Sari saga from Bengal
★How to Lose Weight Fast: 3 Simple Steps, Based on Science
★Popular weight loss strategies
★Everyday Medications You Should Never Take When You Exercise
★10 Ways To Use Sesame Oil For Beautiful Skin
★The Simple 20-Minute Habit That Could Save Your Life
★Working It Out: The future of work and digital
★12 Benefits of Hair Spa Treatment
★5 Exercises to Reduce Belly Fat
★Why You Need to Start Combining Avocados and Peaches
★Haryana girl Nishtha Dudeja wins Miss Deaf Asia 2018 crown
★5 Tips to Take Care of Your Sensitive Skin
★Making handloom accessible
★Healthiest Foods For Women
★Yoga Asanas To Prevent Hair Loss
★10 Surprising Things That Can Cause You to Lose Muscle
★Education can boost men?s chances of online dating
★How your make-up bag could wreck your health
★Top 10 Diet and Fitness Tips for Men
★A platter full of seafood
★Cancer risk of breast implants 10 times higher than first feared
★How to Make Elderberry Syrup
★Cooking in aluminium pans may be dangerous for your health
★This Yoga Flow Will Instantly Boost Your Mood
★8 Time-Saving Meal Prep Ideas Nutritionists Actually Use
★The tangy taste of Banaras
★This is how many calories your tea and coffee habit is adding to your diet EVERY DAY
★10 Weight Loss Tips to Make Things Easier (and Faster)
★Hard work, no pay linked to mental health issues in comedians
★Teenagers use social media posts to appear attractive to friends
★Wash Your Face with Oil
★Natural Ways to Remove Blackheads on Face and Nose
★5 foods for healthy skin
★How to exercise outdoors, when the smogs a killer
★How to Do Face Cleansing at Home?
★11 Realistic Methods of Stress Management
★Study reveals alarming dangers of anti-ageing jabs
★9 Super Simple Exercises to Reduce Belly Fat
★12 Real Amazing Benefits Of Skipping For Weight Loss
★Expert reveals the snacks you should eat, according to your body type
★Using Kalonji Seeds for Weight Loss
★Why and how exercises reduce the risk of CANCER?
★This One Exercise Helps You Become a Better Runner
★Healthy eating
★Eat more fruit and veg for a longer life
★Eating Carbs and Fats Before a Workout? Read This
★The best effective and natural plants for a good memory
★8 Practical Tips to Lose Weight Without Dieting