[ View More Topics About Cycling Health & Nutrition ]
There are many vegetable nutrition facts on the Internet, and food data is everywhere. But you should know which foods would suit you as a cyclist. One thing is sure about cycling nutrition, and that is the need for an increased amount of energy.
Cycling is generally considered a cardiovascular workout – meaning that a lot of energy is consumed while training. Balancing your daily nutritional intake with the needs of cycling and the rest of the day will ensure an adequate energy supply. Nutrition, as everyone may have learned in school, has different aspects. With any course tackling nutrition, food groups will surely be part of the lesson. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the most basic food groups.
Nutrition Lessons at Home
But lessons at home were a bit different. Foods are divided into two groups: healthy food and junk food. Junk foods were those with preservatives and coloring. Healthy food consisted mainly of a balanced diet. Within this balanced diet are vegetables. Vegetables will always remain within every household and will always be encouraged for young children.
Vegetable nutrition is widespread and has been the cornerstone of any family lecture regarding food. For cyclists, there is no exception. There is so much a cyclist needs from vegetables. Based on cycling nutrition, an essential function of vegetables for a cyclist’s body is not only the way they provide vitamins E and C but also the antioxidant properties they give.
Oxygen and Free Radicals
Free radicals are produced mainly because of oxygen. Yes, oxygen is in the air we breathe. This means that through our daily routines, and most especially with exercise, oxygen damages our body little by little. The use of antioxidants is mainly to counter the effects of free radicals. There are several vegetables rich in antioxidants. They should be part of a cyclist’s diet.
Here are some Vegetables with their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacities (ORAC), basically a unit that measures the strength of antioxidant properties in foods. Vegetable nutrition facts state that cyclists should consume about eight servings of these vegetables daily.
| Vegetable | ORAC |
|---|---|
| Kale | 11770 ORAC |
| Spinach | 11260 ORAC |
| Brussels sprouts | 1980 ORAC |
| Alfalfa sprouts | 1930 ORAC |
| Broccoli | 1890 ORAC |
| Beets | 1840 ORAC |
| Red bell peppers | 1710 ORAC |
| Onions | 1450 ORAC |
| Corn | 1400 ORAC |
| Eggplant | 1390 ORAC |
These are the top ten foods that, according to vegetable nutrition facts, are highly antioxidant. If bicycling for health is in your mind – eat vegetables. They will protect your body and increase your overall health.
Did you know...?
Did you know that radishes contain the mineral known as molybdenum?
This amazing mineral stimulates energy production in the cells, helping ensure that all those carbohydrates and sugars you consume get converted to energy for your bicycle rides. This is just one of the many benefits a varied diet of vegetables can bring to a cyclist!
Books About Vegetable Nutrition Facts
More information about vegetable nutrition can be found in several informative books. Take a look at these selected books:
 |
 |
 |
Amy Webster