-{Nutrition}-

[The Phenom]

Hi there.

I'll be 16 in just under a year and I think there's no better time than to start thinking about nutrition and the right way to eat.

I've been doing MAs since my early teens and these have helped a lot - but I don't know very much about nutrition..or the correct way to eat.

I have read bits of information on diet before..but some is contradictory and some is too scientific.

So in short, I am wondering what the best way to eat is - and what exactly is proper nutrition?

Thankyou.

[Aodhan]

Hi there.

I'll be 16 in just under a year and I think there's no better time than to start thinking about nutrition and the right way to eat.

I've been doing MAs since my early teens and these have helped a lot - but I don't know very much about nutrition..or the correct way to eat.

I have read bits of information on diet before..but some is contradictory and some is too scientific.

So in short, I am wondering what the best way to eat is - and what exactly is proper nutrition?

Thankyou.

You're going to get a ton of different answers on this. Your best bet is to sign up at a community college for a nutrition class, and find out what your body needs. Many times you'll end up doing your own nutritional analysis as well.

In general, though:

1) More smaller meals rather than one or two large ones.

2) Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables (Including leafy greens)

3) Stay away from processed foods and partially hydrogenated fats

4) Lean chicken, pork, turkey and beef are all good. Stay away from fatty cuts.

5) Include dairy and lots of water.

Any excess that you take in is either wasted or converted to fat, so figure out how many calories you expend, what your recommended protein intake should be, and build your diet around that.

Ignore fad diets. Any diet works in the short term, but can be unhealthy in the long term. Example, the "No fat but anything else diet". Fats are essential. There are vitamins that are ONLY fat soluble, so if you have no fat, there is no way for the vitamin to get transported into the body from your food. Eventually, you end up with a vitamin deficiency.

Read a lot, take a class, and build a diet based on your needs and tastes. You'll be more apt to stick to it, rather than take a cookie cutter approach handed down by a "guru".

Aodhan

[fangshi]

Not sure exactly what specific info you are looking for but here is a quick link to a number of articles by a sports nutritionist .

http://www.naturalstrength.com/nutrition/default.asp

[AnonymousOne]

Its interesting to note that Mike Tyson only ate steak, pasta and drank orange juice while training

[Kicks]

Check the Physical Fitness link on my website at http://www.livaudaisnet.com/mafit/mafit.htm. There are sample meal plans there that may give you an idea of what you are looking for. Hope it helps.

[fangshi]

Its interesting to note that Mike Tyson only ate steak, pasta and drank orange juice while training

Perhaps we should ask Evander Holyfield about Mr Tyson's diet.