We all know that eating pizza are bad and eating apples are good right? Aside from the calorie content, the foods we eat have a hormonal effect on our bodies and will program our bodies to either burn our fuel for energy or to store it.
Some of you may be familiar with the glycemic index. It is a value given to carbohydrates based at the rate at which they are broken down by the body and released into the bloodstream as glucose. If you eat carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index they are broken down rapidly by the body and cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Your body responds with a surge of insulin to lower the blood sugar levels and it shuttles the excess glucose to be stored. That is why when you eat a lot of processed high carb meals such as pasta, bread, cakes etc it is a recipe for weight gain because hormonally your body is geared to store, store and store!!!
Don't get me wrong, I am all for carbohydrates. As athlete we need carbs for energy to train but it is they TYPE of carbs you choose as well as other food you eat in combination with the carbs. Opt for unprocessed grains like quinoa and other ancient grains as well as fruits and fruits and veggies. The glycemic index of carbs can be altered with the addition of proteins and fats. It is best to eat a balanced diet by consuming healthy carbs, protein, fat and together at every meal which allow your body to better utilize all you are eating for energy rather than programming your body to store.
A balanced meals with carbs, protein and fats
Here is an example of an idea meals with a balance of carbs (corn, beans and greens), protein (chicken) and fat (avocado and olive oil dressing).