Two Things You've Wanted to Know

Two questions come to mind that many think about when it comes to athletes and diet. High fructose corn syrup and protein! Let me explain something about both.

High fructose corn syrup is basically a concentrated form of sugar. You've all seen corn syrup I hope? It looks a bit like oil but it is really just liquid sugar made from corn. High fructose corn syrup is a way the industry can make corn syrup more concentrated by processing the sugars further. You end up with a very sweet ingredient for your food.

The problem with this stuff most aren't realizing is that the human body is not built to process this kind of sugar normally. It is difficult for our bodies to metabolize, thus making our bodies "freak out" in some aspects. As we all know, left over sugar gets converted into fat and stored in the body. Well this is concentrated sugar. This is usually where the problem comes along. What I have to say concerns the athlete though. In most cases HFCS will not destroy the athlete. We are constantly exercising and using sometimes up to 2 times as much energy as the non-athlete. This type of sugar, however, will only give a short burst of energy. You will see that Powerade has HFCS in it. If you are looking for longer lasting sorts of energy, you should grab some fiberful or whole grain options. Remember, you don't want a high sugar diet. This can lead to other unhealthy problems such as diabetes, fatigue, and dental cavities. Try to keep a moderate balance and only grab the sugar in smaller quantities.

So now with the protein. Most athletes associate growth with protein. This is correct. Protein is responsible for the growth and maintenance of your body and muscles. But check this out: unused protein gets turned into fat and the body isn't able to process extreme amounts of protein everyday. On top of that, When there is not enough carbohydrate in the diet (for example a low carb, high protein diet) the body will turn the proteins in your muscles into energy to use. That's right. It will break down your muscles you are trying to grow in order to do the activites you demand.

A balance between carbohydrate and protein is required to optimize your performance. I have been told by many that this ratio should be somewhere around 3:1 carbs to protein. So eat a plate of pasta with a chicken breast instead of just 3 chicken breasts, big guy.

You don't put the wrong fuel in your car; you should try this mentality with your body!