The nutrients in food are broken down into the three types of macro-nutrients. Macro-nutrients mean nutrients we need in large amounts. Micro-nutrients are vitamins and minerals – we need these in small amounts. Each type of nutrient performs specific functions in the body, but interacts with other nutrients to carry out those functions.
Protein
The word protein was coined by the Dutch chemist Geradus Mulder in 1838 and comes form the Greek word “protos” which means “of prime importance.” Your body, after water, is largely made up of protein. Protein is used by the body to build, repair and maintain muscle tissue.
Protein consists of amino acids, usually referred to as the “building blocks of protein.” There are approximately 20-21 amino acids, nine of which are considered essential because the body cannot make them, they must be supplied by the diet.
Protein is essential for growth and the building of new tissue as well as the repair of broken down tissue – like what happens when you work out. When you hear the term “positive nitrogen balance,” it refers to being in a state of having enough protein available for the needs of the body and the needs of building muscle.
What does nitrogen have to do with protein? Nitrogen is one of the most important elements in all protein. It is essential to our life for tissue building. For the most part, we are told to eat sufficient protein to maintain a positive nitrogen balance because our body is actually in an anabolic, or building up phase in this state; whereas a negative nitrogen balance, from lack of adequate protein, indicates a catabolic, or tearing down state.
This is one reason why protein (and eating enough throughout the day) is important: lack of adequate protein, and your body begins to break down tissue (muscles) to meet its daily protein needs.
Our bodies constantly assemble, break down and use proteins (in the form of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein), there are thousands of different protein combinations used by the body, each one has a specific function determined by its amino acid sequence.
Virtually all modern authorities agree that 1 to 1 ½ grams of protein per lb. of body weight is best for muscle growth taking in high quality protein from food like milk, chicken, fish, eggs, etc.
Within proteins, whey protein is the best quality, meaning your body will absorb and use more of it. Whey protein remains number one, because of its high quality, but milk-based proteins (casein) are making a comeback, largely because of their longer lasting effects in the body: whey is typically touted as a fast digesting protein, milk (casein) as a slow digesting protein.
Protein contains four calories per gram. The timing of protein is the key to maintaining a positive nitrogen balance and staying in an anabolic state. Your protein intake should be evenly divided up throughout the day.
Other than that, there are some critical times to take in protein – first thing in the morning, with some simple carbohydrates because you have not eaten since the evening before and your body is in a catabolic state.
You should also be sure to take in a protein with fast carbohydrates – like fruit – about 1 hour before you train and you should take in a similar shake after you train – this should be, by the way, 40-60 grams of protein and about the same in carbohydrates. Finally, you should have a small protein shake or meal before bed, because during the night you typically fall into a catabolic state.
Good Food Choices For Protein
- Lean beef
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish
- Low fat dairy & products like Cheese, Paneer, Yogurt
The other part of getting the most out of your protein intake and thereby maintaining a positive nitrogen balance is carb and fat intake; both are needed in reasonable amounts to ensure protein synthesis.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates have gotten quite a bad name lately with all this low carb stuff out there. Are they responsible for fat gain? Should people avoid them? The answer is no to both. Carbohydrates are currently viewed as the main culprit for gaining body fat.
Ignored is the fact that carbohydrates are the preferred fuel source for your bodies – and brain’s – energy needs. It’s carb energy that fuels you. There are two types of carbohydrates, sugary or simple carbohydrates and complex, slower burning carbohydrates.
The other thing people need to understand about carbohydrates is that too many calories, of any type, can lead to fat gain. With carbohydrates, people eat too many sugary carb foods, which also contain fat. And while it’s true that you need carbohydrates for energy, you only need so much.
If you overload your energy needs and are not active enough to burn the excess calories, they will be stored as fat. Most people are not that active and they also eat too many calories of all types, this is why obesity is the problem it is today.
Most people do not understand what a calorie is. The production of energy is measured in calories. The calorie content of a food is determined by measuring the amount of heat produced by that food in a laboratory device called a calorimeter.
Somewhere along the way, food became a matter of taste – the higher the fat and sugar content the better. The basic function of food was forgotten. You should be concerned about your calorie needs and types, and also you should have at least an idea, and at best be keeping a diet log, of what you eat everyday – in terms of types of calories and total calories.
When trying to gain mass, you need around 2-3 grams per lb. of body weight of preferably complex carbohydrates. If you have a high percentage of body fat, drop that amount to 1 ½ grams per lb. of body weight. The only real times to take in simple carbohydrates are with the pre/post workout and morning shakes mentioned above.
As I said before, carbohydrates are the body's preferred energy source. Once ingested, they are turned into glucose, which, among other things, fuels muscular contractions and glycogen, which is stored in the muscles and liver for future use.
Without enough stored carbohydrate in the muscles, they take on a flat appearance and you lack the energy. As long as your carb intake doesn’t overwhelm your energy needs, you do not have to worry about fat gains from carb intake.
Good Food Choices For Carbohydrates Are
- Whole grains
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Sweet potatoes
Simple Carbohydrates
- Fruit juice
- All sugars
Good Fruit Choices Include
- Bananas
- Pears
- Apples
- Oranges
Fats
Fats, technically called lipids, are the most energy dense of the three macro nutrients. They are composed of building blocks called fatty acids, which fall into three main categories:
- Saturated
Found mainly in animal and dairy products, such as whole milk, cheese, beef, veal, lamb, pork and ham. Also, you will find this type of fat in some oils, such as coconut, palm kernel and vegetable shortening. Saturated fat is used by the liver to make cholesterol, which is involved in the production of hormones such as testosterone. This is important – you need some fat in your diet to keep your body’s hormone production where it should be.
- Polyunsaturated
Found in things like corn, soybeans, safflower and sunflower oils. Some fish oils are also high in polyunsaturated fats. This type of fat may help lower total cholesterol. Since this includes good cholesterol, intake of this type of fat should be limited.
- Monounsaturated
Found in vegetable and nut oils, such as olive, peanut and canola. They can help lower LDL, or bad cholesterol without lowering HDL, or good cholesterol.
Most foods are a combination of all 3 fatty acid types, one is typically the dominant type which therefore dictates it’s classification.
Trans Fats
These occur when polyunsaturated oils are altered through hydrogenation, a process used to harden liquid vegetable oils into solid foods like margarine and shortening.
Fat intake should be kept low. In fact, many people find that fat is naturally kept at low levels by simple eating “clean” – lean meat and dairy sources of protein, complex carbohydrates as listed below. Some people add an omega 3 fatty acid supplement to their diet to insure a source of healthy fats.
Food Choices For Fats Are
- Flaxseed
- Sunflower seeds
- Canola oil
- Olive oil
- Sesame oil / Groundnut oil
Fats To Avoid
- Processed vegetable oils
Fats To Limit
- Butter
- Saturated fats
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