Sharing The Victory [STV]
FITNESS COLUMN – MAY 2005
By: Jimmy Page
Executive Director, FCA Fitness
jpage@fca.org
Topic: NUTRITION – Food is Fuel!
Memory Verse: I Cor. 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (NIV)
With all of the focus on the latest diets, nutrition, carbs, protein, sugar, and now even steroids it’s no wonder that people are confused about what to eat for maximum energy, performance, and long-term health. And, it seems that the more information we have concerning the need for solid nutritional practices the heavier we become as a nation.
One thing is clear; this is not how God intended us to live. God created food for our bodies to give us energy, sustain life, prevent disease, and facilitate healing. Our food choices will affect our moods, our mental focus, our physical performance, our weight, our immune system function, our decision-making, you name it! And you thought you were eating pizza just because you liked it!
Ultimately, over the course of many years the food we eat may even shorten our life.
We would never consider putting diesel fuel in a high performance sports car; the car won’t function properly. Yet that is exactly what we do to our bodies when we eat foods with little nutritional value.
It will take several columns to properly cover the topic of Nutrition, but let’s get started with some key principles that can help you get on track!
- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – Your body has been without food for about 10 hours! Breakfast fuels your brain, jump starts your metabolism, and gives you energy. It also prevents your body from breaking down muscle for fuel; lean muscle is essential for maintaining a healthy body weight. And, as athletes we work too hard to build strength to squander it by skipping breakfast!
- Cut out the Sugar! – The average person consumes 150 pounds of refined sugar each year. Minimizing your intake of refined carbohydrates and simple sugars is a key to maintaining consistent energy levels, losing fat, and being in condition to perform well on the field. Avoid sodas, fruit juices and other high sugar beverages. Replace these with water to avoid a spike in your blood sugar levels.
- Not all Carbohydrates are created equal! The Glycemic Index measures how quickly foods are absorbed into the blood stream and raise blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels rise, the body sends the fat storing hormone insulin into the blood to lower the sugar level. The higher the glycemic index, the worse that food is for you. Choosing complex carbohydrates (whole grains, most vegetables) with a low glycemic index and fiber will reduce the insulin response and sustain energy and focus.
- Eat 5 or 6 times per day – Eating smaller amounts more often (grazing) helps you to stabilize your blood sugar and sustain energy throughout the day. Eat protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential fats with each meal.
As stated in The Competitor’s Creed, “My body is the temple of Jesus Christ. I protect it from within and without. Nothing enters my body that does not honor the Living God.”
