Article Contributed on: 4/25/2006 11:13:50 AM
As a sports chiropractor, I advise runners and rugby players
to take in 65% of calories from carbs, 20% from fat, and 15% from
protein. The protein rich Atkins diet is a fad. Proteins are harder
to digest and metabolize and may not provide the energy needed for
a long, strong run.
The foundation staple to our diet should be grains: rice,
bread, and pasta. Get a good variety of colorful fruits and
vegetables, bananas, kiwi, mango, pear, peach & spinach,
sprouts, kale, carrot juice, broccoli, and cabbage for examples
rich in phytonutrients. Eat fish, eggs, nuts, beans, and soy tofu
as side dishes and use sweets and butter fats sparingly.
Few Americans eat a balanced healthy diet. One of the keys to
any healthy diet is to consume a wide VARIETY of foods to consume
more vitamins and minerals day after day. Excluding foods or food
groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies and periods of
bingeing.
Ideas: Spread toast with peanut butter instead of butter. Add
fresh fruit and yogurt to cereal and oatmeal. Steam veggies with
your pasta. Cut squares of tofu into pasta sauce. Add bean and
spinach to soups. Add nuts, chickpeas, and tuna to salads.
Affirm: "Make wise food choices. Minimize junk foods, fast
foods, and empty calories from soda and beer."