Key Idea 3

Key idea 3 : Discuss how an athlete's body is fuelled by the food they eat.

A: I can identify the various food groups.
M: I can explain how food is digested in the human body.
E: I can discuss the different energy values of food and the importance of a balanced diet for athletes.

A:
There are five food groups in total. Fruit and Vegetables, Breads and Cereals, Milk and Milk Products, Lean Meat and Alternatives and there is also an extras group for biscuits, cakes and lollies. Each day we should eat at least one of the things out of these food groups.

M:
To digest food it has to start at the mouth so it can be chewed into smaller pieces, then travels down the throat and into the stomach to break down into even smaller pieces by the stomach acid. It then goes to the small intestines where the food mixes with the digestive juices from the pancreas, liver and intestine and then it travels to the pancreas where it breaks down the starches  carbohydrates, fats and protein with pancreatic juices. Lastly it goes to the liver where the bile acids dissolve the fats.

E:
The energy values in food are 17 Kj/g for protein, 37 Kj/g for fat and 17 Kj/g for carbs.
Would it be better to eat Salmon before exercising or porridge?
Obviously you would think the Salmon would be better for you eat before exercising.  Actually porridge is better for you because you shouldn't eat protein before exercising. It should be high in starch because it breaks down faster than protein and fats.
Athletes need a balanced diet so they can maintain a healthy and strong body other wise they can't do any sport. Athletes achieve their peek performance if they train and eat a variety of good foods. For a athlete you have to maintain your energy and having a balanced diet helps with that.