We do a great job at fighting obesity by signing up members and helping them get on regimented workout routines. One thing we often forget about is to coach members on proper nutrition and eating habits. Try starting off small with your member or clients — use some basic information on carbohydrates to get the ball rolling.
Teach members the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are sugars. They are an extremely quick source of energy because they are rapidly digested. The energy is great, the downside is most foods that contain simple carbs don’t necessarily contain a lot of nutrients other than calories. Remember, a lot of your members are looking to cut calories, not add them.
Luckily, simple carbohydrates aren’t too hard to spot by the average person. Give your members a basic list to understand simple carbohydrates:
- Table Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Molasses
- Jams, jellies
- Fruit drinks
- Soft drinks
- Candy
Complex carbohydrates are where your members want to focus their search. Complex carbs are sugar molecules. They are digested slowly by the body and are more successful at keeping the body’s blood sugar level stable. Many times, they are often rich in fiber (make a note to your seniors) and tend to sustain energy for longer amounts of time.
Here is small list of some complex carbohydrates your members will need:
- Green vegetables
- Whole grains (Oatmeal, pasta and whole-grain breads)
- Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and pumpkin
- Beans, lentils and peas
