ALPHA FITNESS

Introduction

There are many Diets and Supplements on the market these days; some are good some are not. I Like to educate people in to a healthier eat plan that fits in with their life style, I do deal with one Supplement, but then again it all depends on your lifestyle and goals.
As my time as a Jockey I tried and tested many diets and health eating and with that experience and being a Nutrition Adviser, I know what work!
Food is essential for life, growth, and good health. Also, you are only as good as what you put in your body i.e. you do not put diesel in an Aston martin or a Jaguar and expect it to perform well. Your body is the same; you need to M.O.T, service and look after it.
That does not mean you cannot eat or drink the things you like anymore; it just means you must learn how to manage what you put in it.

Why Do You Need A Balanced Diet?

Dietary needs vary from person to person according to age, sex, state of health and lifestyle. However, a good healthy diet will contain the following substances in the correct proportions and will be called a balanced diet. These substances are:

• • Carbohydrates.
• • Fats.
• • Proteins.
• • Minerals.
• • Vitamins.
• • Water.
• • Dietary Fibre.

Why Do We Need Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are a main source of energy and they are classified into two sub-groups:

• • Sugars (Fast releasing carbohydrates)
• • Starches (Slow releasing carbohydrates)

If we consume more carbohydrates than our bodies need then the excess will be converted and stored as fat.

Why Do We Need Fat?

Fat is important nutrients for the body:

• • A Source of energy.
• • Keep us warm as Insulation.
• • Fat can help to support and protect some organs of the body.

There are three main groups of fat:

• • Saturated – mainly animal fats (solid at room temperature).
• • Unsaturated – mainly vegetable or fish (liquid or soft at room temperature).
• • Hydrogenated – liquid hydrogen added to vegetable oils (creating firmer oils to act as saturated fat).

Why Do We Need Protein?

Protein helps in the repair and growth of body tissues. It also provides energy if there is insufficient fat and carbohydrate available. Proteins are made up of amino acids. There are 23 naturally occurring amino acids, the body can manufacture many of these but there are 8 essential amino acids that can only be provided by eating the food that contains them.

There are two types of protein:

• • Animal Protein: (high in fat and salt).
• • Vegetable Protein: (high in carbohydrate and fibre).

Why Do We Need Vitamins and Minerals?

They are an essential element to our diet, and they perform specific functions, and aid in the following:

• • Prevent infections.
• • Strengthen blood vessels.
• • Growth and repair..
• • Red blood cell production.
• • Energy production.

Although they are only needed in small amounts, a deficiency could result in illness.

A balanced diet will contain more than enough of the vitamins and minerals that we need. Supplements should only be required if you are medically deficient or do not eat a balanced diet.

Why Do We Need Dietary Fibre?

Although the body does not absorb dietary fibre it is still especially important. It adds bulk to the meals that we eat and is vital for the proper functioning of the digestive system.

Why Do We Need Water?

Water is one of the most important substances required in the body. It composes approximately 70% of body weight. It is vital for transporting nutrients, waste, metabolite, and hormones around the body. It is also essential in regulating the body's temperature. Small losses of water (2-3% of body weight) can seriously impair performance.