Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1129210
Page 26 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com Some nutri onists are arguing that sports drinks and power bars are not the best way to build body strength and agility, instead saying that you should listen to your body and eat real food. Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky and Dr. Stuart Phillips are both in their 40's and very ac ve endurance athletes, but neither is in favor of inges ng special processed combina ons of protein and carbohy- drates. Neither doctor regularly consumes energy drinks or energy bars, preferring to drink water and eat regular foods. The wisest advice for athletes may be to pay a en on to what feels best to you, which foods aid your workouts, and at what mes. That your body needs real food to perform op mally should be common sense, but alas, it is not. Exercise is one of the most powerful tools you have available to drop your insulin levels. This is important because elevated insulin levels are one of the primary drivers for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and weight gain. But the foods you eat are equally important to maintain healthy insulin and lep n levels. You can't expect to be op mally healthy if you only do one right and ignore the other. Although you'd think professional athletes would know be er, many athletes s ll make unwise food choices, and there's no telling how much their performance and recovery from injury would improve with proper nutri on. Most of us however, are not professional athletes who can actually get away with consuming extra sugar and carbs. Most likely, if you're an average person with a regular exercise regimen, consuming sports drinks and energy bars will simply not benefit your performance or your overall health. The fact is, high-sugar, high-refined carb die ng makes you more prone to muscle and joint deteriora on and injury. Who knows how many careers have been cut short due to diminishing skills or injuries? There's no telling how many careers could have been lengthened through op mal nutri on. What's the Correct Diet for Optimal Physical Performance? Conven onal sports nutri onists recommend a 4 to 1 ra o of carbohydrates and proteins, consumed during and directly a er endurance events. Others emphasize ea ng the right foods at the right me, especially a er exercising. But other experts, such as John Ivy, chairman of the department of kinesiology and health educa on at the University of Texas in Aus n, says your post-workout meal does not need to be laden with carbs. Rather, protein is key to s mula ng your insulin response. Insulin increases your muscles intake of glucose, which refuels your body. Others s ll place even less weight on the dogmas of sports nutri on. Says Dr. Rennie, a 61-year-old who was a compe ve swimmer and also used to play water polo and rugby: "The idea that what you eat and when you eat it will make a big difference in your performance and recovery is wishful thinking." Sadly, Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars on energy drinks and energy bars each year. Bar and drink makers add dozens of elements to these products, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and whey. However, the ac ve ingredients usually come down to two simple substances: Sugar and caffeine. When used properly, these products may have some benefits for intense, high-level Advice for Athletes Eat REAL Food