The Fat Fix
The Fat Fix
By Jill Castle, MS, RDN
Fat gets a bad rap in the world today, its consumption associated with heart disease and obesity. But, fat has a beneficial role for humans, and for the growing swimmer, it can be a useful and strategic tool to manage weight. Whether the young athlete is trying to gain weight or lose a few pounds, fat is the single nutrient to manipulate, and here’s why: •Fat is a concentrated source of calories, offering 9 calories for every gram (versus 4 calories per gram in protein and carbohydrate). Whether you add it or subtract it from the diet, the impact will be on total calories.
•Add it to the diet and help the underweight swimmer gain a few pounds.
•Trim it out of the diet that contains too many calories (usually from too much fat or sugar) and help the swimmer slim
•Add it to the diet and help the underweight swimmer gain a few pounds.
•Trim it out of the diet that contains too many calories (usually from too much fat or sugar) and help the swimmer slim
down.
•Target fat in the diet, protecting the more important nutrients for young athletes: carbohydrate and protein. Sports
•Target fat in the diet, protecting the more important nutrients for young athletes: carbohydrate and protein. Sports
nutrition experts recommend adjustments in fat intake for the growing swimmer, rather than cutting out carbohydrates
(fruit, veggies, whole grains or dairy foods) or protein foods.
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