HOUSTON TEXANS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PROGRAM ...

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are your best source of energy. The body can break carbohydrates
down into a usable source of energy rapidly. It is the best health food you can eat. It is
the jet fuel of food. Sixty percent of your daily caloric intake should come in the form of
carbohydrates. Good sources of carbohydrates include bread, grains, cereals, pastas,
fruits, and vegetables. 60% of your daily caloric intake should come in the form of
carbohydrates.
Fats
Fat is a poor source of energy. It takes the body a long time to break it down into a
usable fuel. If the body cannot break it down to a usable source of energy it stores it as
fat in the body. There are two types of fat, saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats
include animal fats which is damaging when too much is consumed. Other common
sources of saturated fat include butter, margarine, cream, salad dressings, cheese,
shortening, whole milk, fried foods, chocolate, and many pastries. Unsaturated fats are
less harmful. Examples include corn oil, olive oil and peanut oil.
The additional fat serves no value except to insulate the body and make it more
buoyant. Unless you plan on swimming a long distance in cold water, there’s no
advantage to adding any excess fat to your body.
Only 25% of your daily caloric intake should come in the form of fat.
Protein
Protein is primarily used to rebuild and repair muscle. It is broken down into amino
acids for the muscles and other tissues to use. It is a poor source of energy. Most people
consume far more protein than they need. Excess protein is converted to fat and stored in
the body, or excreted in your waste products.
Good sources of protein include dairy products, lean meats, fish, and chicken.
Protein pills and powders (including amino acids) are a waste of money. Amino
acids became the “super potion” of the 1990’s. However, the literature states that the
body can obtain all essential amino acids from a balanced diet.
Additional protein supplementation is both expensive and unnecessary. Covert Bailey,
a fitness expert, states, “A growing body of evidence indicates that consuming too much
protein is not only foolish; it can be harmful.”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, D.C., published a report
entitled “Protein for Athletes.” In this report the FTC states that athletes don’t need any
more protein than the suggested RDA. People selling supplements tell athletes
otherwise.
The report says, “...many protein supplement manufacturers use such misconceptions
to promote their powders, tablets, or liquids to athletes -- a group that is particularly
susceptible to health and body building claims. Athletes have bought the claims and the
supplements. Now the FTC staff says the supplements are generally unnecessary and, in
some instances, cause decreased muscle efficiency and performance.”
Instead of wasting money on supplements, you should use that money to purchase lean
meats, fish, and chicken. The FTC states, “Protein supplements are more costly per
ounce than protein in food form.” The FTC report adds, “...supplements are, in general,
of a lower quality protein.”
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