Foods To Limit & Food Habits

Lots of times in sports, athletes watch carefully what they should eat -- and most of the time, what they should not eat. It's true that athletes have to watch what goes in their mouths; and that there are good foods they should eat a lot of and some that are okay in moderation. Teenagers, especially girls, also tend to watch what they eat. It's not a good idea to eat too little, nor too much so the list below will help to construct your diet.

Some food to consume in moderation would include:

• Caffeine: Since caffeine may cause anxiousness and sleeplessness, it's better to stay away from this stimulant. Also, the effect of caffeine is different with each person; some may feel as if they are filled to the brim with energy (watch out for that crash) and some may even get headaches. Caffeine comes in soda, coffee and tea.
  
• Sugary Foods: Because the average Joe is supposed to be staying away from sugary foods, of course teen athletes are supposed to avoid these even more. Sugary foods cause the blood sugar level to drop and can lead to fatigue. Stay away from cakes, pastries, ice cream, and other sweets.
  
• Fried or Fatty Foods: Fatty foods slow digestion and can make your stomach feel heavy. It's not a good idea to eat fatty foods before or after performing sports, or else it'll be hard to concentrate on performing at your best.
• Fizzy Drinks: Soda, aside from containing a mountain of sugar and caffeine, are carbonated. Meaning, it can give you some nasty gastric problems while exercising and can leave you feeling uncomfortable.
  

A few things you should watch out for as your journey into sports; Don't over eat in one sitting, because it can leave you feeling drowsy like after a Thanksgiving dinner. Also, try not to skip breakfast! A lot of people in this eat and run society tend to skip breakfast... Included with today's world, people tend to starve themselves because they can't find time to eat. That's a bad thing to do for yourself, so try to eat on time!

As a teen athlete, you should make it a habit to eat right. You can't magically change how you eat overnight, but it can be done as long as you are determined. Start off by switching from white bread to whole grain. Or maybe, from ditching soda to drinking water. Soon enough, you'll be developing healthy eating habits!

References:
http://www.iloveindia.com/nutrition/sports/foods-to-avoid.html
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/eatnrun.html#

Written by Ashley D. ^____^ <3