ENGL 104: The Effect Of Carbohydrates On Athlete Performance

Ryan Yerrow

December 4th, 2017

Ms. Baca

ENGL 104

The Effect of Carbohydrates on Athlete Performance If you are an athlete or if you are physically active you know the importance of fueling your body properly before a big event. Fueling your body the right way should always be a daily concern, not only on your workout days. You can research many methods to help fuel your body online. Most athletes are not properly educated on the right ways to feed your body the right nutrients. A lot of individuals are so tunnel vision on one fueling method that they are afraid to try anything else. Many of them stick to the routine that they have been doing since they were little. But, what if I told you there is a way to drastically improve your athletic

You may try to include some natural sugars such as apples or oranges. According to Jill Corleone, “Your meal plan should include three carb-focused meals and at least one snack. To make sure you're getting all the nutrients your muscles need, include a source of protein and a fruit or vegetable at each meal and snack. For energy and performance, eat a meal one to two hour before you exercise.” This will help optimize your energy levels and improve your daily functions. Carbohydrates are not only for competition time. They are an essential ingredient for making your life healthier and

“To maximize energy potential for long runs, you need to eat a high-carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrates are the perfect source of energy for endurance runners because they digest quickly and are easily utilized by your hard-working muscles.” You should consume on average one hundred and thirty grams of total carbohydrates. Different people may have different intakes of carbohydrates though. A person who weighs two hundred and twenty pounds is going to have a higher intake of carbohydrates than someone who weighs one hundred and twenty pounds. “How much you need depends on how hard you're training and ranges from 2.3 grams per pound during light to moderate training to 5.5 grams per pound when training more than four to five hours a day. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, your daily carb needs range from 276 grams to 660 grams per day.” The main source of these carbohydrates should come from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans. Carbohydrates are composed of three elements; carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. “Carbohydrates are the most abundant biomolecule on Earth. Living organisms use carbohydrates as accessible energy to fuel cellular reactions and for structural support inside cell walls. Cells attach carbohydrate molecules to proteins and lipids, modifying structures to enhance functionality.” Creating a carbohydrates