Food Types
Hydration
Obesity among Irish children is increasing and is largely due to a number of lifestyle factors. Children who develop healthy eating habits in childhood are more likely to maintain these habits in later life. Coaches can encourage children to adopt healthy eating practices for sporting performance. When developed at an early age, healthy eating habits can optimise growth, aid recovery and help prevent injury.
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Food Types
Foods fit into 5 different Food Types:
- Breads, Cereals and Potatoes
- Fruit and Vegetables
- Milk and Dairy Products
- Meat, Fish and Others
- Foods containing Fat, Oils and Sugar
Breads, Cereals and Potatoes along with Fruits and Vegetables are mostly made up of Carbohydrate, with Vitamins and Minerals. Carbohydrates are used to provide energy. These food types make up the three base segments of the Food Pyramid and should be consumed most regularly.
Milk, Dairy Products, and Meat and Fish are mostly made up of Protein and other Vitamins and Minerals, such as Calcium. We need these types of foods to grow –bones and our muscles. These food types are important - especially in children, and should be consumed regularly.
Foods that contain Fat, Oils and Sugars include things like Butter, Crisps and Chips. These foods are used to give us energy. This energy can be stored to use later. These food types make up the top of the food pyramid and should be eaten sparingly.
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A healthy diet is one that contains a variety of different food types, and different foods from the same food type.
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