Should I be using any sports drinks, vitamin supplements, amino acid supplements, energy bars or salt pills?
With athletes looking for “the competitive edge,” sports drink manufacturers have found a willing public! However, most of the drinks cannot make up for poor eating habits. Sports drinks are okay if they get you to drink enough fluids before, after and during exercise, but cold water is still the best (and cheapest!) fluid to drink. Your body’s vitamin and mineral needs can easily be met by eating the foods and servings found in the Food Guide Pyramid. Taking vitamin supplements won’t help your athletic performance; getting too much of certain vitamins can actually harm you in some cases. Amino acid and other protein supplements are not recommended for young athletes. Most supplements have no more protein than a serving of meat or a glass of milk. They can be an expensive way to give your body extra protein, which it cannot use if you are already eating a balanced diet. Extra protein is stored as fat in your body. Energy bars and sports drinks that contain carbohydrate, protein and som
