Mineral and vitamin diet plans| Get all vitamin and minerals from foods | best foods for vitamins and minerals | Food and nutrition | Food sources for minerals and vitamins
Mineral and vitamin diet plans| Get all vitamin and minerals from foods | best foods for vitamins and minerals | Food and nutrition | Food sources for minerals and vitamins

                             



        

Vitamin and Mineral Diets


If you look after your health and if you would like to stay fit, you ought to not overlook the importance of nutrition. Doing sport isn't enough. There are various nutrients that a balanced diet needs to contain to provide the body with the necessary amount of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and water. If these nutrients are not incorporated into the diet, the result might be a metabolism disorder.


Minerals and vitamins are responsible for sports performance. Therefore, sportsmen need to have a diet rich in vitamins so that their energy balance can be maintained. Athletes need to consume daily up to 1500 kilo-calories. Hockey players need an amount of 3000 kcal per day. This amount of energy can be easily taken from food.


If the food people eat is varied, mineral and vitamin intake is satisfactory and there is no need for supplementation. Vegetables and fruit are rich in vitamins. They are also excellent antioxidants. Grains are also an important source of minerals and vitamins.


Athletes normally reach more than two-thirds of the necessary amount of minerals and vitamins included in the customary Recommended Dietary Allowances. The eaten food can provide a double quantity of RDA, making it possible for athletes who need high-calorie intake to assimilate up to 6,000kili-calories daily.

Mineral and vitamin diet plans| Get all vitamin and minerals from foods | best foods for vitamins and minerals | Food and nutrition | Food sources for minerals and vitamins
Mineral and vitamin diet plans| Get all vitamin and minerals from foods | best foods for vitamins and minerals | Food and nutrition | Food sources for minerals and vitamins

                                          


However, most athletes choose supplementation to improve their performance. It is important to notice that nutritionally supplementing the diet does not result in improving endurance, cardiovascular function, physical work capacity, or muscle strength. Vitamins and minerals can do that.


If an athlete's diet does not meet his energy needs, vitamin supplements are added to guarantee optimal nutrition. Multivitamin supplements which ensure a Daily Value of 100% offer a proper vitamin balance. They should not be regarded as a substitute for eating a wide range of foods as they contain fiber and phytochemicals very useful for health. Several sports supplements are based on beta carotene antioxidants. About 450 carotenoids can be found in food as well.


Mineral intake is also an important matter which is not to be neglected. Calcium, zinc, or iron is vital for athletes. Calcium intake recommendations are made considering the levels able to ensure calcium retention, reduce bone loss, and improve bone mineral density. If the calcium level is low, there is a high risk of fracture with athletes. Broccoli, dairy products, fish, juices are only a few of the many sources of food that ensure adequate calcium storage.


Iron is necessary for hemoglobin and myoglobin synthesis and is responsible for aerobic metabolism and oxygen transport. Iron lessening is one of the most frequent iron deficiencies among athletes. Satisfactory amounts of iron can be reached while consuming dark poultry, red meat, fortified cereals, vegetables, or grains.


An essential component for the processes of protein synthesis, immunization, and healing, zinc is present in antioxidant enzymes and enzymes responsible for energy metabolism. The mineral is found in seafood, meat, or poultry. 


One should keep in mind the fact that mineral excess can cause problems with digestion and other mineral absorption. It can also be toxic to the body.