Whether or not we want to admit it, pharmacy advertisements for flu shots are a tell-tale sign that flu season will soon be upon us. That nasty virus comes back each year to wreak havoc on our bodies and neatly-planned training schedules. Fortunately, your food choices on a daily basis can have a huge impact on your likeliness of being sidelined by the flu (or any cold in general). Starting today, follow these five guidelines to assure you are able to train and compete throughout the entire fall and winter season:
1. Hydrate!
While proper hydration is key for many reasons, it becomes especially important for the prevention of illness. As the weather turns colder, it's natural to not think about drinking fluids as frequently. However, a properly hydrated body can better transport essential nutrients to muscles and organs for proper functioning and recovery. Should you contract either the stomach flu or even a mild fever, hydration should be a top priority. Oral rehydration products such as sports drinks or Pedialyte may be a good way to avoid dehydration if symptoms are severe.
2. ACE it
Antioxidants may be your best defense against inflammation and stress within the body. Vitamins A, C, and E (ACE) are the power players in this category. To make sure you are meeting your needs each day, aim to eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal and snack. The darker the fruit or veggie, the higher it is in antioxidants (i.e dark, green, leafy vegetables, carrots, peppers, berries or oranges). Decreasing daily stress within your body is a key way to help it better fight off any potential threats to your immune system.
3. Consider Carbohydrate
Be sure to use carbohydrate-containing foods and/or beverages before, during, and after intense training or competitions. The body's stress hormones are at their highest after this type of exercise bout. Fueling your body properly with adequate carbohydrates will provide protection during this vulnerable time, decreasing the negative effect of stress hormones on your body.
4. Fuel, Refuel Recharge
In addition to proper carbohydrate supplementation during exercise, it is essential to maintain a well-balanced diet throughout the entire day. Include adequate carbohydrate, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. For most athletes, this includes eating at least every 3-4 hours to meet the body's training and recovery needs. Committing to good nutrition on a daily basis will assure your immune system is functioning at its best.
5. Supplement Smart
Unfortunately, there are no supplements guaranteed to prevent a cold or flu. However, at the first sign of illness, research has shown that two supplements may help decrease the severity and duration of the cold: zinc lozenges and vitamin C tablets. Begin sucking on zinc lozenges at the first sign of an impending illness, but limit length of use to no more than 1 week and don't use on an empty stomach. Note that citrus juice interferes with zinc absorption, so avoid it 30 min before and after using a lozenge. When taking vitamin C, limit each dose to 500 mg max for a total of 1000mg max daily. Anything above this amount is not efficiently absorbed and will simply be excreted in the urine.
Of course there are many flu-prevention behaviors you should keep in mind in addition to diet. Don't underestimate the value of proper sleep (ideally an average of 7-9 hours uninterrupted sleep per night), washing your hands, getting a flu shot, and keeping daily stressors to a minimum. If you feel like you are coming down with something, it is better to err on the side of caution and take a rest day. Overtraining and chronic fatigue only creates extra stress, which makes it more difficult for your body to mount an attack on the pending virus.
Be Extraordinary,
RDKate
Showing posts with label MyPlate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MyPlate. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
"MyPlate" for Athletes
March is National Nutrition Month, and this year's theme is "Shape Up Your Plate" in honor of the new MyPlate graphic released by the USDA as a replacement for the good old Food Guide Pyramid. As a dietitian, this was a welcome change because - lets be honest - how many average consumers actually knew how to interpret the Food Guide Pyramid anyhow? As a sports dietitian, I had been using the plate method for quite some time already because of the simplicity and ease of teaching. However, athletes have very specific needs, so does MyPlate as it is really cater to the needs of athletes? Should the distribution of food groups ever change to better fuel the performing athlete? First, lets break down MyPlate in the context of the sports nutrition world:
MyPlate displays 5 different foods groups - sound familiar? - that are distributed across a plate and either a cup or side dish.
First, why is it important for an athlete to get each of these food groups at every meal?
Grains- This group includes all foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, and other whole grains (i.e. pasta, bread, cereal, crackers, tortillas, etc.). Athletes should aim for at least half of their grains to be whole grain (i.e. 100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain versions of the first list). Grains provide mainly carbohydrate, which is the body's main source of fuel during exercise, particularly as intensity increases. Skimping on carbs leads to a break-down of muscle for energy (note: that's a bad thing).
Protein- This includes lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs as well as nuts and nut butters, beans, legumes, tofu and other soy foods. Among MANY functions, protein is imperative for muscle re-synthesis and re-building (but must be combined with carb for best results).
Fruits- This group includes all fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit as well as ONLY 100% fruit juice. Fruits provide that all-important carb, but also vitamins and minerals essential for proper recovery of trained muscles and prevention of illness.
Vegetables- Also includes all fresh, frozen, canned, and dried vegetables as well as vegetable juices. Vegetables provide only a small amount of carb, but - like fruit - are a great source of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Fiber provides "staying power", leading to sustained energy during activity.
Dairy- Includes all fluid milk products as well as foods made from milk such as yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese. Choosing low-fat dairy products is a great way to take on more protein and carb, as well bone-strengthening calcium and Vitamin D - two components important for protection from injury.
While the MyPlate graphic is a great visual to use on a daily basis to meet your macro- and micro-nutrient needs, when might an athlete need to modify this basic plate?
Oh and in case you didn't hear, today is the 5th Annual National Registered Dietitian Day! Have you hugged an RD today?
Be Extraordinary,
RDKate
First, why is it important for an athlete to get each of these food groups at every meal?
Grains- This group includes all foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, and other whole grains (i.e. pasta, bread, cereal, crackers, tortillas, etc.). Athletes should aim for at least half of their grains to be whole grain (i.e. 100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain versions of the first list). Grains provide mainly carbohydrate, which is the body's main source of fuel during exercise, particularly as intensity increases. Skimping on carbs leads to a break-down of muscle for energy (note: that's a bad thing).
Protein- This includes lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs as well as nuts and nut butters, beans, legumes, tofu and other soy foods. Among MANY functions, protein is imperative for muscle re-synthesis and re-building (but must be combined with carb for best results).
Fruits- This group includes all fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit as well as ONLY 100% fruit juice. Fruits provide that all-important carb, but also vitamins and minerals essential for proper recovery of trained muscles and prevention of illness.
Vegetables- Also includes all fresh, frozen, canned, and dried vegetables as well as vegetable juices. Vegetables provide only a small amount of carb, but - like fruit - are a great source of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Fiber provides "staying power", leading to sustained energy during activity.
Dairy- Includes all fluid milk products as well as foods made from milk such as yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese. Choosing low-fat dairy products is a great way to take on more protein and carb, as well bone-strengthening calcium and Vitamin D - two components important for protection from injury.
While the MyPlate graphic is a great visual to use on a daily basis to meet your macro- and micro-nutrient needs, when might an athlete need to modify this basic plate?
- Endurance athletes prepping for a big race: Keep all food groups, but increase grains and fruit in the days leading up to competition. One day before, omit fresh fruit (canned, frozen, dried okay) and high-fiber grains (yep - choose white bread) from your diet to assure you fully digest all energy by race day.
- Anaerobic athletes after a lift-heavy workout: Keep all food groups, but slightly increase protein at the next meal following your workout. Don't go overboard here, as most of us get too much protein and the key is really the combination of carb and protein. Extra protein doesn't automatically equal more muscle.
- Athletes recovering from injury: Keep all food groups, but slightly increase protein and slightly decrease grains. You need more protein to repair what has been injured and likely you won't be working out how you were, so you'll need less energy from grains.
- Athletes fighting illness: Keep all food groups, but slightly increase fruits and vegetables. That is where you'll get those antioxidants, which are the power-house for fighting illness in the body.
Oh and in case you didn't hear, today is the 5th Annual National Registered Dietitian Day! Have you hugged an RD today?
Be Extraordinary,
RDKate
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