What is the specific food groups an athlete need to eat?

Answer 1

Depends on the athlete and what activity they will be doing.

Many athletes 'carb load' before an event, this means to eat meals that are rich in complex carbohydrates (wholegrain wheat products, potatoes, rice etc) to store energy. Carb loading if you were not going to exercise would be un-wise as it would be wasted calories/kilojoules that would turn into fat/extra weight.

A balanced diet including vitamins, minerals and protein would be important for athlete (and anyone), but anyone doing excessive exercise does need a higher calorie/kilojoule intake than the average person to compensate the calories/kilojoules they will burn.

Answer 2

In response to increased levels of cholesterol and a greater risk of heart disease---or for countless other reasons---many Americans are making the switch from a diet dominated by hamburgers and hot dogs to one of veggie burgers and tofu.

But is this type of diet a wise choice for athletes who need to maintain their strength and stamina?

The answer to that question is a qualified "yes."

Whether you are an athlete or moderately active, you must be aware of the nutritional implications of vegetarianism and choose foods that will provide you with enough calories and nutrients to keep you healthy and strong.

There are four basic types of vegetarians. The first, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, omit meat, fish and poultry from their diets, but include animal products such as eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese.

The second and third types of vegetarians are lacto-vegetarians and ovo-vegetarians. Lacto-vegetarians, while excluding eggs, do include dairy products. Conversely, ovo-vegetarians do include eggs, but exclude dairy products from their diets. Both types exclude all forms of meat. Finally, the restrictive vegan diet excludes all foods derived from animals in any form.

Regardless of what type of vegetarianism may be your preference, it is essential to have a good understanding of basic nutritional principles to choose a balanced diet.

Without this knowledge, vegetarians may find themselves deficient in nutrients generally derived from meat, eggs and/or dairy products, such as protein, iron, calcium and vitamins B12 and D.

Answer 3

Athletes eat carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, potatoes or bread, and plenty of proteins (meat.)

Answer 4

A well balanced diet is good for anybody. Athletes need to eat calories to account for the ones that they loose. Protean is also good for muscle growth.