| When we eat, we eat for three reasons. The first | | | | you than a carbohydrate does. One crazy fact about |
| reason is that we eat to stay alive. Without food our | | | | this is that according to scientific studies the amount of |
| bodies would cease to function. The next two are to | | | | energy that a lean active cyclist at 150 pounds has in |
| build and repair each part of the body as well as | | | | him is equivalent to if the cyclist weighed 275 pounds |
| consuming different types of foods to get each part | | | | but only had carbohydrates in them. For the common |
| of the body to function efficiently. | | | | person there is so much energy from fat in them each |
| The energy that is used for intense physical effort will | | | | day that they need not worry at all about stocking up |
| come from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are stored | | | | on fat before a race or ride. Besides any leftover |
| on the body in the liver and in the muscles. They come | | | | protein or carbs converts to fat. |
| into your body through natural sugars such as fruits | | | | The proteins your body needs play a different but still |
| and juices, refined sugars like honey and soft drinks | | | | vital role in cycling. Proteins bother build up and repair |
| and finally as starches such as potatoes pasta and | | | | the body. They can be found in fish, meat, eggs, dairy |
| bread. | | | | products as well as in some vegetable products. In |
| The next major source of energy for the body during | | | | situations where there is extreme demands on the |
| exercise is the fat that is around the outside of the | | | | body, the protein in a body can also be burned to |
| body. Fat, per gram, supplies a ton more energy for | | | | produce energy. |