Healthy Nutritional Basics
It is important to know more about omega 3 fats and supplements. Contrary to what most people think, fats are very important and are essential for various body processes. The most important function of fat is the production of energy. Vitamins A, D, E and K can only be dissolved in fat.
Fats may be of animal or vegetable origin. It is important to make a simple distinction between 'good' and 'bad' fats.
Saturated fats are of the kind found in products such as meat and dairy products. Your body uses them almost exclusively for the production of energy. If you eat too many of these every day, they may start clogging up your veins causing physical discomfort and other problems.
Unsaturated fats are usually found in products of vegetable origin. Examples are: sunflower oil, olive oil and nuts.
If you practice sports intensively, 30% to 35% of your diet should consist of high-grade proteins.
In addition, the body also uses them to produce energy after the most important functions of these fatty acids have been fulfilled.
Your body is capable of producing many kinds of fats by itself, except for the omega-6 and omega-3 types. These fats should preferably be contained in your diet. These fats are sometimes also referred to as 'essential' fats. Unfortunately these fats do not form part of most people's daily dietary intake.
A few practical ways to ensure you consume these fats:
- take half a tablespoon of flaxseed oil every day (for instance on salads) or mixed in with your protein shake
- whenever possible, use sunflower oil or olive oil
- amino acids are broken down into a nitrogenous part and a nitrogen-free part
- every now and then eat a handful of walnuts, almonds or sunflower-seeds
- eat biological peanut butter on rough wholemeal bread
- eat fatty fish such as salmon, trout or mackerel regularly
- eat turkey and beef regularly and drink a lot of milk.
If you follow one or more of these suggestions, your training-results and general health will improve considerably. If you take care of implementing the above items in your daily food scheme, you are well on your way improving your training results and general health!