Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have been given a very bad rap over the last few years but they are very important to good health and a great looking body. Don't overdo it but you should be eating plenty of carbohydrates to fuel your training sessions and to sustain your energy levels throughout the day. Carbohydrates are the preferred energy source your body uses. Obviously the bigger and more active you are the more carbohydrates you will need. If you are on a fat loss diet don't eat too many carbohydrates, especially at night (if you have excess carbohydrates in your system your body won't turn to your fat stores when you want it to). Good sources of carbohydrates are: pasta, potatoes, rice, whole grain breads and cereals.

You should also eat plenty of vegetables. These provide your body with fibre, vitamins and minerals. Fresh vegetables are by far the best option. Don't overcook your vegetables, doing so will destroy too many of the good nutrients they provide. The best option is to lightly steam your vegetables and leave them slightly crisp, or even raw but it's more difficult for the digestive system to break down raw vegetables, thus reducing the amount of nutrients absorbed.