Good and Bad Carbohydrates
Increasing the overall performance and endurance of athletes through is the primary aim of much of the research done on training and becoming more competitive in sports. The choosing of athlete’s food choices, essential carbohydrates needed for athletes, and the effects of consuming carbohydrates before and during competition is very important in helping with the enhancing of an athlete’s endurance and his or her exercise performance. It is critical for athletes to ingest a significant amount of carbohydrates in their bodies in order to compete at high performance levels.
Carbohydrates are the main fuel source for our body, but as athletes we must know the difference between good and bad carbohydrates. Good carbohydrates are foods that do not look processed and how it looks in nature is how is it should look before being eaten. Examples of good carbohydrates are corn on the cob, whole fruits, whole grains, etc. Bad carbohydrates are highly refined sugars and carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, white pasta, soft drinks, etc. Though carbohydrates could be seen as good or bad, neither are perfect, and both can be included in your diet but at a rate where good carbohydrates greatly exceed bad carbohydrates. Athletes usually try to choose foods with high levels of proteins and carbohydrates. Although an athlete’s nutritional choices are influenced by the athletes’ social environment such as physical and social settings, quality, quantity, convenience, and the perceived healthiness of the foods (Long, Perry, Unruh, Lewis & Stanek-Krogstrand, 2011). A qualitative study conducted by (Long et al., 2011) attempted to create a theoretical model explaining the personal food choice processes of collegiate football players. Fifteen collegiate players were chosen consisting of 2 kickers (1 punter, 1 place kicker), 4 quarterbacks, 3 defensive backs, 2 wide receivers, and 4 lineman. Of the 15 players 4 were sophomores, 9 were juniors, and 2 were seniors. The
Carbohydrates are the main fuel source for our body, but as athletes we must know the difference between good and bad carbohydrates. Good carbohydrates are foods that do not look processed and how it looks in nature is how is it should look before being eaten. Examples of good carbohydrates are corn on the cob, whole fruits, whole grains, etc. Bad carbohydrates are highly refined sugars and carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, white pasta, soft drinks, etc. Though carbohydrates could be seen as good or bad, neither are perfect, and both can be included in your diet but at a rate where good carbohydrates greatly exceed bad carbohydrates. Athletes usually try to choose foods with high levels of proteins and carbohydrates. Although an athlete’s nutritional choices are influenced by the athletes’ social environment such as physical and social settings, quality, quantity, convenience, and the perceived healthiness of the foods (Long, Perry, Unruh, Lewis & Stanek-Krogstrand, 2011). A qualitative study conducted by (Long et al., 2011) attempted to create a theoretical model explaining the personal food choice processes of collegiate football players. Fifteen collegiate players were chosen consisting of 2 kickers (1 punter, 1 place kicker), 4 quarterbacks, 3 defensive backs, 2 wide receivers, and 4 lineman. Of the 15 players 4 were sophomores, 9 were juniors, and 2 were seniors. The
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