Eating for Energy

Many professional sports teams have recently added a new member to their organization -a nutritionist. That's because athletes have became aware that food affects performance. You don't have to be an athlete to notice this effect. If you've ever skipped breakfast and then tried to clean the house, you know that you need food for energy. Here are some tips about eating to increase your physical performance:

Eat enough food. Your body needs a certain number of calories each day. If you're too thin, you'll often feel tired and you'll be more likely to get sick.

Read the labels on food products. This information will tell you how nutritious the foods are.

Avoid eating foods that are high in simple carbohydrates, that is, sugars. A chocolate bar will first give you energy, but then it will leave you feeling even more tired.

Eat a balanced diet, one that includes complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Use the food pyramid to help you decide how much to eat of each type of food. Complex carbohydrates provide the body with "fuel". They are found in fruits and vegetables, and in bread, rice, pasta, and other foods made from grains. The body uses protein to build muscles, and it uses fat to absorb the vitamins in food. Protein and fat are found in foods like milk, cheese, meat, fish, and eggs. Too much fat, however , can be harmful.