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TRAINING FOR A TRIATHLON: YOUR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

A SUCCESSFUL TRIATHLETE NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A BALANCED DIET

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Training for a Triathlon: Your Nutritional Needs

Triathlon success depends on several key factors and one of the most important of these is nutrition. Triathlons consist of three successive events; running, cycling and swimming, over various distances. This strenuous event requires extensive physical training and, of course, the consumption of a strict healthy diet.

Food Nutrition 

A Triathletes food intake needs to be just as strict and regimented as their physical training. For starters, the consumption of refined or processed foods should be substantially reduced or eliminated entirely.

This is due mostly to the high levels of sugar alcohols that the body rapidly absorbs. Also, refined and processed foods tend to negatively stimulate sugar levels that are known to cause inflammation in the muscles and joints, which can be very detrimental to athletic health. A successful triathlete needs to maintain a balanced diet in every meal (even snacks), which must include proteins and carbohydrates as these are vital for the production of energy. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain high levels of fiber and nutrients that can help to maintain fitness levels and help the body to recover from strenuous activities.

How often you consume food is also an important element in nutritional, athletic health, and any athletic trainer or nutritionist will tell you to eat early and often. Research shows that foods that are consumed in the early morning are more likely to turn into heat energy rather than stored fats. Eating small meals frequently is ideal for triathlon nutrition because it provides necessary energy that is required at any particular time. Keeping hydrated is also extremely important to athletic health. Water is known to increase blood volume and regulate body temperature, both of which will improve your physical performance. Sports drinks are also great for training since they contain additional contents (such as electrolytes) that are easily absorbable and have an excellent retention rate in the body.

Supplements/Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids 

Because of the intense physical strain that a triathlon will put on the body, it is essential to include various nutritional supplements in your nutrition regimen. Although a healthy diet is important, we are often not absorbing the level of nutrients we require due to the digestive enzymes being destroyed by either processing or cooking. Nourishing your system with nutritional supplements will provide you with the competitive edge necessary to transform your body into a well-oiled, athletically-competitive machine. Omega-3 fatty acids have been long considered the competitive athletes best friend when it comes to optimum athletic enhancement. These essential fatty acids increase the body’s energy levels in a number of ways by improving fat metabolism, which allows your body to burn off fat rather than store it. Below is a list of supplements that will greatly enhance your physical efficiency.

Oil Blends 

It is possible to purchase Oil Blends that are made up of organic, unrefined nutritional oils that are entirely free of the constituents often found in other processed oils. Unique and effective formulations provide your body with an excellent source of Omega-3 and -6 as well as the fatty acid Omega-9. 

Beyond Greens 

Beyond Greens uses green foods that are rich in Omega-3, -6 and -9, fiber, digestive enzymes and phytonutrients. This highly effective and easy-to-use powdered formula will give your body a substantial boost, not only to your endurance but also to your muscle strength.

Digestive Enzymes 

Digestive Enzyme Blends use a unique blend of seven active plant-based enzymes that will assist the body in efficiently breaking down foods and optimising nutrient absorption. Good nutrient absorption is essential for maintaining high energy levels, as well as helping your body to burn fat. 

All of these products, as well as a variety of other health enhancing supplements, can be purchased direct from Udo’s Choice.

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