Nutrition label stuffs and diets

In summary, the body is capable of converting carbohydrates into useable energy quicker than it can fat, so it is important to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates in order to maximize energy and performance. This is especially important for athletes or people who areexercising hard. Additionally, if you are dieting to lose weight, it is important to keep track of both caloric intake and fat intake in order to make sure you are satisfying your hunger while still losing weight.
  • #1
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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I HAS QUESTION! :D

I've always heard that when you're an athlete or someone who does a lot of exercising, it's important to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates. I hear that it's because the body is capable of converting carbohydrates into useable energy quicker than it can fat (is this true even?). So I got to thinking about what exactly the fat content in food is for in regards to diets. I mean, when I think of someone dieting or diet myself, it seems like calories are all you really need to keep track of (at least in terms of losing weight, I know you obviously need to have your vitamins and minerals and protein). So why do people keep track of their fat intake as well? Is it unnecessary or is there a reason that dieters want to minimize their fat intake along with their caloric intake?
 
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  • #2
Pengy has a no show thread, I don't know the answer to your question, but am more than happy :redface: to bump your thread.

Rhody...
 
  • #3
Pengwuino said:
I've always heard that when you're an athlete or someone who does a lot of exercising, it's important to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates. I hear that it's because the body is capable of converting carbohydrates into useable energy quicker than it can fat (is this true even?).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carbohydrate-loading/MY00223
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index
http://www.health.arizona.edu/health_topics/nutrition/general/gycemicindex.htm [Broken]

Pengwuino said:
So why do people keep track of their fat intake as well? Is it unnecessary or is there a reason that dieters want to minimize their fat intake along with their caloric intake?

http://www.ehow.com/how_2307097_turn-fat-muscle.html :smile:

So if you want to gain muscle, you must eat protein.

Protein however can be converted to fat.

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/630proteinmet.html [Broken]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11255140
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/howto/pfandbs-2.html
 
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  • #4
Pengwuino said:
So why do people keep track of their fat intake as well? Is it unnecessary or is there a reason that dieters want to minimize their fat intake along with their caloric intake?

Dyslipidemias, hyperlipidemias, metabolic syndrome
 
  • #5
Okay so it seems like controlling a medical condition or preventing one is important. What if you were just dieting to lose weight in general?
 
  • #6
My personal experience has been that if you eat a certain number of calories, and in one case the food is high in carbs and in the second case the food is high in fat, the food that is high in fat is more satisfying and you eat less later on. So I've found that diets like South Beach, where you carefully control the number of carbs, really work.

As far as athletes, if you're exercising really hard, and need to eat a large number of calories (I've read that Olympic swimmers eat 12,000 calories per day), it's just easier to eat that much when it is high in carbs, and it digests faster so you don't throw up(sorry) during your next workout. Personally, I've been on long bicycle trips where I was eating ~5000 calories per day, and I just ate whatever I wanted, just more of it. High fat meals never caused me a problem.
 
  • #7
I see Olympic swimmers are causing global warming!
 

1. What information is included on a nutrition label?

A nutrition label typically includes information on serving size, calories, macronutrients (such as fat, carbohydrates, and protein), micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals), and ingredients.

2. How do I interpret the information on a nutrition label?

To interpret the information on a nutrition label, start by looking at the serving size and the number of servings per container. Then, compare the amounts of calories and nutrients per serving to your recommended daily intake. Pay attention to the % Daily Value (%DV) which shows how much of a nutrient is in one serving compared to the recommended daily intake based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

3. What should I look for when choosing a healthy diet?

When choosing a healthy diet, it is important to focus on whole, unprocessed foods and aim for a balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat). Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit added sugars, saturated and trans fats, and sodium intake.

4. Are there any specific diets that are recommended for weight loss or health?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to a healthy diet. Different diets may work for different individuals depending on their personal preferences and health goals. Some popular diets include the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, and vegetarian or vegan diets. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.

5. Can I trust the claims on food packaging?

It is important to be critical of claims on food packaging, as they can often be misleading. The FDA closely regulates health claims on food products, but there are still many unregulated terms and phrases that may be used to market a product as "healthy" or "natural." It is best to focus on the nutrition label and ingredients list rather than relying on front-of-package claims.

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