Rendezvous with Nutrients

It’s summer and its killing me. I don’t ask for much I just want summer to end. I think I can speak for all of us ….daily chores seem tougher and running away into the night sky sometimes crosses my mind. The pressure of staying fit during these days adds to the heat. Already being subjected to such torture few of us still feel the need to crank it up a notch and go on dieting as well. Aren’t we

missing on vital nutrients to beat the summer heat as it is ,we start humouring in Keto and Atkins programmes too. Few of the impatient ones are like…''I am a week in to this programme and I don’t feel skinny''. I say to these Paris Hilton types, immigrate to Mogadishu and starve yourself to death.

We are the ones to blame ….we are the ones who made summers hotter. When I was younger I loved winters but I liked summers as well. I could be a kid in summers. Vacations and all, but now its a different story. Kids are not kids any more. Some exam prep time takes over the vacation spirit. George R.R. Martin said “summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” I hope the kids get it someday.

Sun is so hot these days grown-ups look forward to their kid’s vacation so that a hike could be planned on Himalayan foothills. And a few hit the gym to sweat it out. While it’s good to be all raunchy about fitness its quiet necessary to eat well. Let’s get our facts about nutrients right.

Nutrients are divided in two parts micro and macro. The nutrients which we need in large quantities for energy requirements are macro nutrients for example: - carbohydrates, protein and fat. Micro nutrients are needed for proper bodily functions like organ health and etc., for example: - vitamins, minerals and secondary plant compounds. Without knowing what carbohydrates, proteins and fats are one can’t possibly come to the conclusion as to what is good or bad for oneself. I am not going to open high school books and start with your basic science education. Most of us are well versed with the afore mentioned names.

Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibres found in fruits, grains, vegetables and milk products. Often missed in trendy diets, carbohydrates — one of the basic food groups — are important to a healthy life. Carbohydrates provide fuel for the central nervous system and energy for working muscles. They also prevent protein from being used as an energy source and are important for brain function. They are an influence on mood, memory, etc., as well as a quick energy source.& Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex carbs. Generally speaking, simple carbs are digested and absorbed more quickly and easily than complex carbs, Simple carbohydrates contain just one or two sugars, such as fructose (found in fruits) and lactose (found in milk products). These single sugars are called monosaccharides. Carbs with two sugars — such as sucrose (table sugar), lactose (from dairy) and maltose (found in beer and some vegetables)— are called disaccharides.

Oligosaccharides are complex carbohydrates that consist of three to ten sugars. They are rich in vitamins and minerals; and, because they are fibre-rich, they are slower to digest than a simple carbohydrate. Complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides) have three or more sugars. Polysaccharides are also rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre but, they have larger numbers of sugars than an oligosaccharide.They are often referred to as starchy foods and include beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, potatoes, corn, whole-grain breads and cereals.

Simple carbs can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels and sugar highs, while complex carbs provide more sustained energy. Which one do you wish to quit is up to you now? Still I would dare to make a suggestion to “Mr/miss, I don’t take carbs” use some brain if you still got one, I don’t see an indication of one, owing to your low carb food. And try adding some magical carbs in your diet. Next time, we meet we discuss the favourite word of a bodybuilder’s vocabulary “PROTEIN”. 

It’s gonna be fun.

Take care.