Each
of us has a non-specific and a specific nutrient requirement. The non-specific
requirement is connected with the supply of energy, and is covered, for
example, by nutrients from the carbohydrate, protein or fat groups.
The specific nutrient requirement is covered by nutrients that our body is incapable of producing itself or of synthesising from another nutrient. These are the essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
The nutrient reserves in our body
Proteins are the building materials of our body. Although we have them in plenty, we do not have any reserves from which we could extract energy. We store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen in the muscles and in the liver. The better trained a muscle is, the more glycogen it can store within it. This glycogen is directly avail-able as an energy reserve during sports exertions.
The right approach to nutrients in the daily diet:
In order to ensure that you are eating a healthy diet, you need only follow four simple rules:
Rule 1:
Choose healthy foods and set great store by eating a particularly varied diet.
Rule 2:
More than enough is not better than enough.
Rule 3:
Eat many complex carbohydrates, proteins in moderation and little fat. (The best method of restricting fat consumption is to forego processed meat products such as sausages, avoid fried dishes, remove visible fat from meat and switch to fat-reduced dairy products.)
Rule 4:
Meet your body’s energy requirement. You should not deprive your body of the fuel it needs. If your weight remains constant over an extended period, it is a sign that your energy requirement is being met.
The specific nutrient requirement is covered by nutrients that our body is incapable of producing itself or of synthesising from another nutrient. These are the essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
The nutrient reserves in our body
Proteins are the building materials of our body. Although we have them in plenty, we do not have any reserves from which we could extract energy. We store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen in the muscles and in the liver. The better trained a muscle is, the more glycogen it can store within it. This glycogen is directly avail-able as an energy reserve during sports exertions.
The right approach to nutrients in the daily diet:
In order to ensure that you are eating a healthy diet, you need only follow four simple rules:
Rule 1:
Choose healthy foods and set great store by eating a particularly varied diet.
Rule 2:
More than enough is not better than enough.
Rule 3:
Eat many complex carbohydrates, proteins in moderation and little fat. (The best method of restricting fat consumption is to forego processed meat products such as sausages, avoid fried dishes, remove visible fat from meat and switch to fat-reduced dairy products.)
Rule 4:
Meet your body’s energy requirement. You should not deprive your body of the fuel it needs. If your weight remains constant over an extended period, it is a sign that your energy requirement is being met.