Friday, 29-March-2024 10:30
 
no comments in "Sci-Tech"
Sci-Tech
Monday, 25-December-2006
beliefnet - One of the many perks of being an athlete is that when the holidays come around, we don't have to worry so much about a few—or more likely a few hundred—extra calories. First of all, our energy needs are much higher than our friends' whose idea of sport is a particularly cutthroat game of foosball. And secondly, any weight that sneaks on during the holidays is just as easily shed in January when we fall back into our normal routine of eating and working out.
Although the period from Thanksgiving until just after New Years is somewhat of a nutritional black hole, there are actually plenty of foods in Aunt Hilda's holiday buffet that can fit quite nicely into an athlete's game plan. The secret is to draft the best foods for your dietary lineup. Here are some of the most promising players in the typical holiday pool, and some tips for enhancing their performance.
Pre-Game Standouts
Shrimp Cocktail. This lean source of protein is also swimming in selenium, a potent antioxidant. Selenium may boost the immune system and, like other antioxidants, can help reduce the risk for heart disease and cancer. Marathon runners who stock up on antioxidants are less likely to catch a cold or respiratory infection after a big race. Go for the extra point–dip in cocktail sauce, not butter.
Antipasto. The vegetables in this Italian delight—peppers, olives, artichokes, and mushrooms—are filled with phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that enhance immunity and lower the risk for chronic disease. Nosh on a few pieces of cheese for some calcium, essential for strong bones. Go for the extra point–savor just a couple slices of pepperoni and focus more on the vegetables in this dish.
Mixed Nuts. Scoop up a handful of selenium, fiber, protein, vitamin E, and magnesium. Stored in bones and muscles, magnesium is crucial for endurance performance. And while nuts are relatively high in fat, it's mostly the good-for-your-heart unsaturated type. Go for the extra point–choose dry roasted over oil roasted, and add raisins or dried cranberries to the mix.
Big Game MVPs
Roast Beef. A solid source of protein, iron, and zinc. In the blood, iron carries oxygen to working muscles, and zinc speeds healing and injury recovery. Endurance athletes are often low in these two minerals, but need sufficient levels to perform at their best. Go for the extra point–trim visible fat before eating and go light on the gravy.
Turkey. Carve off a slice and you'll get a good dose of protein as well as some iron with each serving. Dark meat contains more iron than the lighter parts. Go for the extra point–Top slices of turkey with cranberry sauce instead of gravy.
Stuffing. The ultimate dish for carbo-loaders. And if it's made with celery, raisins, cranberries, apples, nuts, or any other goodies, you'll get extra fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Cranberry Sauce. Whether you slice it or scoop it, this rich, tart sauce is excellent on its own or as a topping for turkey, stuffing, or potatoes. It also boosts fiber and phytochemical levels.
Squash. The pilgrim who introduced this beauty to the table was a true nutritional visionary. Dig in to the butternut, hubbard, or acorn varieties and be treated to a mouthful of flavor as well as a whole host of phytochemicals and the potent antioxidant, vitamin A. Go for the extra point–go easy on the butter; often a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg is enough to bring out squash's natural flavor.
Green Peas. These little guys are really legumes who are cousins to black beans, chickpeas, and lentils. More importantly, they provide athletes a shot of protein, carbohydrate, and fiber, as well as potassium and vitamin A in a mini, bite-size package.
Sweet Potatoes. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals, antioxidants, carbohydrate...All this and it can satisfy your sweet tooth with barely any calories and no fat, too. You didn't think such a food existed, but think again. If only they made an energy gel out of these tubers.
Overtime Stars
Pumpkin Pie. This is a pumpkin's time to shine, and boy does it shine in this position. Not only does this pie provide the vitamin A and potassium we come to expect from anything pumpkin, it also delivers a good supply of calcium and carbohydrate. Go for the extra point–skip the whipped cream or go for the lighter version.
Apple Pie. Or any other fruit pie for that matter, especially if it's homemade. It's as close as most people will get to eating fruit for dessert, and often slightly lower in calories than other desserts like cakes or pastries. Go for the extra point–top with low-fat frozen yogurt (for calcium) instead of ice cream.
Sugar Cookies. Yes, they're full of sugar, but they're still carbohydrate. Trail runners can get away with eating jelly beans and gum drops, so enjoy a couple of these sweets at the office holiday party. Go for the extra point–eat your cookies Santa-style; a glass of skim milk is a great source of carbohydrate, protein, calcium, and several other vitamins and minerals we athletes need a lot of.
Hydration Team
Beer. Athletes, from the armchair to the gym-rat variety, seem to really like their beer, which may be good news for heart health. Moderate drinking—one drink/day for women and two for men—of alcoholic beverages is believed to decrease the risk for heart disease. Go for the extra point–stick with moderation and alternate with a few glasses of water, since alcohol can lead to dehydration.
Red Wine. While all alcoholic drinks are thought to offer some health benefits, red wine gets an extra healthful punch from the phytochemicals in grapes. Go for the extra point–again, moderation is key.
Hot Apple Cider. In addition to providing the quintessential holiday aroma for your kitchen, hot apple cider adds a few extra phytochemicals to your diet—you can never have too many of these.
A Winning Lineup
With all these great foods to choose from, bench the scale this holiday season and enjoy your favorites. Just be sure to work in a few runs, walks, or pick-up games in between meals.

More from "Sci-Tech"

Other titles:
Tuesday, 17-October-2017
The United Arab Emirates acknowledged on Tuesday that two of its pilots were killed when their military aggression plane crashed over Jawf province, a military official said

The official added that the aggressive crashed plane was an apache that was
Tuesday, 17-October-2017
Three citizens were killed and four others wounded in two Saudi air strikes hit Majza district of Saada province, an official said on Tuesday.

The strikes hit a citizen's car in al-Jamalah area in the district, the official added.
Tuesday, 17-October-2017
Artillery of the army and popular shelled a gathering of Saudi-paid mercenaries in al-Moqadra area in Serwah district of Marib province, a military official said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, dozens of Saudi-paid mercenaries were killed and others injured in Wadi al-Theek in the district, the official added.
Monday, 16-October-2017
The army and popular forces carried out on Monday unique military operations in Taiz province.

A military official said that a number of Saudi-paid mercenaries were killed at the hands of the army and popular forces in al-Jazami Hill in al-Kadaha area in al-Ma'afer district.
Monday, 16-October-2017
A Saudi aggression fighter jet targeted a citizen's car driving in Fara area of Kutaf district in Saada province overnight, killing the driver and injuring his friend, a security official said on Monday.
Monday, 16-October-2017
The army artillery and popular committees launched a fierce attack on Saudi-paid mercenaries' sites in Jawf province, a military official said on Monday.

The attack destroyed a military vehicle belonging to the mercenaries and killed all on board in Sabran area in khab and shaaf district.
Sunday, 15-October-2017
Scores of Saudi enemy soldiers were killed and injured on Sunday when the army and popular forces repelled a Saudi military attempt to sneak into Shurfah site in the border province of Najran, a military official said.

The operation was accomplished successfully against the Saudi
Sunday, 15-October-2017
The army and popular committees have killed a total of 18 Saudi-paid mercenaries in sniper operations over the past hours in the central province of Marib, a military official said on Sunday.

Ten mercenaries were killed in Nehm district and eight others were killed in Serwah district, said the official.
Saturday, 14-October-2017
Saudi aggression warplanes have launched more than 49 airstrikes over the past hours on several residential areas across Yemen, a security official said on Sunday.
The airstrikes targeted the areas of Malahiz and Husama in Dhahir district, and areas Thuban, Masahif and Sdad in Bakim district of northern Saada province.
Thursday, 12-October-2017
The army and popular forces carried out an operation attack on Saudi-paid mercenaries' sites in al-Hawal area in Nehm district.

A local official said that the operation attack resulted in killing and injuring mercenaries, adding they also incurred heavy losses at their ranks

who we are     |    Advertising     |    contact us
All rights reserved © Almotamar Net, Developed by