Athletics & Wellness
Grade 4
12 min
Carbs, Protein & Fats — The Simple Version
Describe what each food type does for an athlete.
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1
Meet Your Fuel Team!
Think of your body like a super-fast race car. To make it go, you need the right fuel! The food you eat is your fuel, and there are three main types that work together as a team: carbohydrates (carbs), protein, and fats.
2
Carbohydrates for GO Power!
Carbohydrates, or carbs, are your body's main source of energy. They are like the gasoline for your car or the batteries in a video game controller. Carbs give you the power to run, jump, and play. You can find them in foods like bread, pasta, fruits, and potatoes.
3
Protein for BUILDING Power!
Protein helps build and repair your body, especially your muscles. Think of protein like building blocks for a Lego tower. After you play hard, protein helps your muscles get strong again. Foods like chicken, beans, eggs, and yogurt have lots of protein.
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Challenging
A coach suggests eating a meal 2-3 hours before a competition. Based on what you know about food as fuel, why is it a bad idea to eat a very large meal full of heavy fats right before you compete?
0.Fats are a 'helper' and take longer to digest, which could make you feel slow and sluggish.
1.Fats don't have any energy, so they are useless for an athlete.
2.The meal will make you too strong and you might break the equipment.
3.Your body can't use fats and carbs at the same time.
Challenging
Imagine you are creating the perfect 'fueling plate' for an athlete's dinner the night before a big event. Which description best represents a balanced approach using the 'Energy, Build, Help' model?
0.A giant plate of only chicken (protein) to build as much muscle as possible overnight.
1.A small salad with no dressing, because eating less is better before a game.
2.A plate filled mostly with pasta or rice (carbs), with a side of fish (protein/fat), and some vegetables with olive oil (fat/vitamins).
3.A plate of only avocado (fat) because it helps the brain think about strategy.
Easy
What is the main job of carbohydrates (carbs) in your body?
0.To build strong bones
1.To give you energy for running and playing
2.To help you sleep better
3.To keep your hair shiny
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