Energy is provided by food and drink. It comes from the fat, carbohydrate, protein and alcohol the diet contains.
Energy requirements vary from one individual to the next, depending on factors such as age, sex, body composition and physical activity level.
Energy expenditure is the sum of the basal metabolic rate (the amount of energy expended while at complete rest), the thermic effect of food (TEF, the energy required to digest and absorb food) and the energy expended in physical activity.
To maintain body weight, it is necessary to balance the energy derived from food with that expended in physical activity. To lose weight, energy expenditure must exceed intake, and to gain weight, energy intake must exceed expenditure.
Meeting energy needs is the first nutritional priority for athletes. A healthy diet contains the right proportions of carbohydrate (CHO), fat, protein, vitamins and …show more content…
Variations in energy intake are likely to lead to weight loss or gain. Elite players have been found to have diets which are too high in fat and too low in CHO intake. They should be encouraged to consume more unsaturated fat (e.g. margarine) instead of saturated fat (e.g. butter) as well as complex carbohydrates such as pasta and rice. So what are the respective amounts of CHO, fat, and protein required for a player with a daily intake of 16000 kJ or 3809 kcal. Firstly, for a standard healthy diet, general dietary recommendations of 55-60% CHO, 25-30% Fat and 10-15% protein are advised. A simple calculation shows that the player should be consuming 550-600g of CHO, 108-130g of fat and 94-141g of