Let’s Talk Food
Khar Gymkhana played host to Sports Nutrition and Weight Management Consultant, Devesh Nihalani, at the start of November with his Seminar, “Let’s Talk Food!”. Devesh took a packed Presidential Hall through the ins and out of training and nutrition that goes on behind the scenes for all athletes looking to excel in their endeavours.
During the interactive session a number of queries regarding general health and diet were answered leaving members better prepared for their next meal out than before! The former self professed potato-junkie turned triathlete and nutrition consultant was happily discussing all questions at length and more!
In case you missed it, below are the highlights.
All athletes go through phases of training, or “periodization” as its formally called. Some days are harder than others and the months leading up to a competition are structured different than the one right after. Following the same logic, it is natural that the nutritional needs of the individual change in accordance with the training schedule. “The goal of sports nutrition is to delay fatigue as much as possible, and improve the speed of recovery as much as we can,” said Devesh. He stressed on the importance of getting an athlete ready for the next bout of training and ensuring that he/she is never over-trained.
“Carbs, Fats, and Proteins are all important”. The needs of each individual are different but every single person needs their fair share of macronutrients. “Eat the rainbow” was the advice given when asked what is the preferred diet. Every sport and every person comes with a unique set of requirements and restrictions. The trick lies in finding the balance that keeps everyone happy and performance maximized!
“Hydrate!” was a word used a fair bit during the seminar. We are made up of 60-70% water, it is absolutely critical to drink enough water throughout the day. All athletes in the crowd were encouraged to weigh themselves right before and after a bout of training in order to understand exactly how much water and electrolytes they need to consume in order to have optimum recovery.
“Eat Smart and Be Happy”. We all know that some foods are objectively bad for us and that some are great for us. Everything has a time and place. An ace swimmer can’t be eating samosas right before her sprint, nor can a champion squash player be having a protein shake a minute before his match. It is of paramount importance to time your nutrition correctly and be happy with your food.
Supplements are just that: Supplements. They are to be earned through training hard and training right. The first priority must forever be to reach your nutritional requirements through whole foods. Using supplements as a crutch to lean on due to nutritional deficiencies is not a long-term solution.
“Have a goal”. Devesh advised the members of the audience to have SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals for their sport performances and physique targets. Any endeavour in life that is set to these parameters will have a higher likelihood of success. He went on to say that it is fine for goals to change with time but it is necessary to have them, else we risk losing focus and dedication.
