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Weekly Eating Habits Can Affect Weekend Activities

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RALEIGH — What you eat during the week will keep you playing strong through those Saturday afternoon softball games or Sunday bike rides.

Athletes, even weekend warriors who run in a 5-K or play in pick-up basketball games, need a little extra protein. Protein contains amino acids that are the building blocks of your muscles. However, eating excessive amounts of protein will not build muscle, it is just a myth.

"What you eat during the week gives your body proper energy for that weekend, so you are not eating just based on your pre-game meal or that breakfast you had on Saturday, but you are eating based on what your body is storing, what energy is your body used to storing, how is your body used to having protein to repair your muscle and all that happens during the week," says sports nutritionist Susan Kundrat.

Drinking water all week will keep your system in shape to tolerate more water on the weekends while exercising.

However, after a game of hoops or softball, water may not be what's on the social calendar. An ale or lager may seem like a thirst quencher, but before the beer, consider another beverage.

"A cold one is not too bad, what I would suggest is a cold one of juice first, and then maybe go for a cold beer or something else to re-hydrate," Kundrat says. "The problem with a lot of alcohol is that it is dehydrating, so after an exercise performance or exercise event, your body needs extra fluid to replenish the fluid you lost."

Athletes often talk about carb loading. Depending on your body, eating foods high in complex carbohydrates like whole-grain breads or pasta will give your muscles more energy to release as you push yourself.

Drinking water all week will keep your system in shape to tolerate more water on the weekends while exercising.

However, after a game of hoops or softball, water may not be what's on the social calendar. An ale or lager may seem like a thirst quencher, but before the beer, consider another beverage.

"A cold one is not too bad, what I would suggest is a cold one of juice first, and then maybe go for a cold beer or something else to re-hydrate," Kundrat says. "The problem with a lot of alcohol is that it is dehydrating, so after an exercise performance or exercise event, your body needs extra fluid to replenish the fluid you lost."

You may also hear athletes talk about carb loading. Depending on your body, eating foods high in complex carbohydrates like whole grain breads or pasta will give your muscles more energy to release as you push yourself.

Photographer:Ken Bodine

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