MADISON- Much like a well-groomed athletic team, nutrients from foods combined together plays a key role in performing your best in any athlete endeavor. Carbohydrates (carbs), fat and protein all play a pivotal role in keeping the body in tip-top condition for those tip-top performances.

Carbs are the form of fuel that the body can use most efficiently; Fat helps the body retain vitamins and minerals; Protein helps build and repair muscle tissue.

Try and skimp any one of those nutrients puts you in on the course for failure. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, doctors recommend 55-60-percent of your daily calories come from carbs while 30-percent should stem from fat intake and the final 10-15-percent come straight from protein. To stay healthy and remain a constant performer in athletics, experts stress a healthy diet is the first step to great performances, and for athletes, knowing what and when to eat.

Experts teach athletes to treat their body like a prized possession, because the human body is just that and every person’s needs are different. Just like the glorious makings of the body all are not created equal and neither are foods and when it comes to choosing which carbs, fats and proteins to consume, you must be discriminating. Consume the foods with the most amounts of nutrients possible. One thing is for sure- you can’t go wrong with keeping it simple.

Timing is always an important part of correct nutrition. Never consume a meal near the time of your workout or athletic events. One of the main reasons, according to the National Institutes of Health, is the fact digestion uses up energy, and conserving energy is a must for best athletic performances. One of the most critical aspects of nutrition and getting the most out of a performance is staying hydrated.

The human body is made up of 60-percent water and during any athletic venture the body quickly loses fluid and thirst becomes the first sign of dehydration as the body is pretty intelligent in taking care of itself, but needs help. Runners know this fact as well as any group of athletes. The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition has a guideline most athletes adhere to: “Drink water every day; drink half your body weight in ounces.”

For runners, perfecting the weekly mileage can be a very difficult task. The experts at Fleet Feet Sports of Madison indicate there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to choosing the correct mileage. Speed and endurance are two factors in determining how many miles to hit the roads or running track and those indications depend on what the reason is for with the treks in your running shoes.

Work with a registered dietitian and don’t experiment with diets on your own as this can lead to poor eating habits with inadequate or excessive intake of certain nutrients. Be smart. Help your body.