We have all heard about eating for energy, but do we really know what it means? Eating to give energy is common in many sports. It is an accepted part of a number of competitive sports. However, what is eating to give energy?

There are two main things that matter when you are considering eating to give your body energy: the food and the ingredients in the food. The food you eat can affect the calories you consume, and the ingredients in the food can affect how your body uses the calories. Most foods contain some degree of fat soluble compounds. These compounds are what give foods their energy. Fats come from animal source foods such as dairy products and meat. Saturated and trans fats are most common in foods and are responsible for the increased rate of cholesterol and obesity in America.

Some dietary choices may make it more likely that you consume saturated fats and trans fats on a regular basis. Therefore, by making healthier dietary choices, it may be possible to avoid or reduce your consumption of these fat soluble compounds. To help avoid saturated fats and trans fats from ever entering into your body, there are several steps you can take. These include:

Eating healthy fats found in nuts, olives and olive oil is highly recommended. Also, adding nuts and olives to your diet is a great way to get extra antioxidants into your system. Some dietary choices that are very high in unhealthy fats found in nuts and olives are chocolates, cookies, chips, fast food and French fries. Other healthy fats found in nuts and olives include avocados, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts and peanut butter. By making healthier choices, you may also be reducing your consumption of trans fats found in canned foods and processed meats.

When it comes to carbohydrates, it is important to balance the amount of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and other food groups that are rich in starches. The five food groups that should comprise the majority of your diet are: whole grains, beans, brown rice, pasta, and bread. The best way to eat a varied diet is to eat several smaller meals throughout the day. The goal is to eat until you are full, but not over-filled. This way, you can fill up on the nutrients that are good for you without overeating.

Finally, it is important to include some unsaturated fats in your diet. Unsaturated fats are beneficial to your heart health. Some examples of healthy fats include: olive oil, avocados, nuts, soybean oil, olives, sesame oil and fish oil. By including unsaturated fats in your diet on a regular basis, you may find that your cholesterol count stabilizes, your blood pressure stabilizes, and your diabetes mellows. Eating a variety of healthy fats is an important part of a balanced and nutritious diet that will help you live a long, disease-free life.