Better fitness through sports food?

Sports foods are often no better for fitness than a balanced diet

04/18/2014

Fitness bars, protein shakes and sports drinks enjoy great popularity among athletes. They promise the optimal supply of the important nutrients and should also promote the performance and muscle growth. The news agency „dpa“ Talked to nutrition experts who took a closer look at fitness products. Their conclusion: conventional foods can cover the nutritional needs of athletes as well as special sports nutrition.

Nutritional ratio of sports nutrition and comparable conventional foods is about the same
The nutrient ratio in fitness products is comparable to that of conventional foods, informed the consumer center Saxony. Special foods for athletes did not increase fitness more than other foods. Decisive is rather a sports-fair food choice.

Hobby athletes do not need to cover their increased protein requirements with expensive protein shakes, but can, for example, eat plenty of natural protein with quark with apple pieces, milk fruit shakes or yoghurt with banana. This was pointed out by the nutrition consultancy Rhineland-Palatinate. Bread with ham or low-fat cheese is also recommended. In general, animal foods such as meat and milk as well as plant foods such as cereal products contain a lot of protein. Both combined, complement each other very well, because the body can process the protein better in this way. For example, fish with potatoes or oatmeal with milk are healthy, protein-rich meals.

A demonstrable increase in performance through the consumption of sports nutrition has not yet been proven by studies. Rather, a placebo effect is discussed in this context. Too large amounts of special protein can even harm the body. 0.8 to 1.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight were enough „Otto Normal athletes“ , said Ingo Froböse of the Center for Health of the Sport University Cologne. At a very high physical stress such as in an intense muscle building phase, the daily amount of protein can be increased to 2 to 3 grams per kilogram of body weight for a maximum of two to four weeks, the expert said. (Ag)

Source: Stephanie Hofschlaeger