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Volleyball and football practices started just over a week ago and with now having two high school students, our schedule is getting busier! Volleyball practice is from 6am-8am; football is 8am-10am and 5pm-7pm, although that'll be backing down to one practice a day soon and when school starts the schedules will change. And, of course, all practises are running long right now as the kids are getting back into condition. It's amazing how resilient the body is and how fast it adapts!
My concern has been on the nutritional end when high-carb toast/pasta/etc is touted. I haven't tried disuading them, but have encouraged more of a balance when I can. They are good about fruits and peanut butter is encouraged, but there are no direct mentions of protein or fat that I've heard.
Now I'm glad to have found some good articles and information from Atkins.com. Instead of my word vs their friends, coaches and/or even the home ec. teacher (on the need for high carbs) it's good to have some solid information.
http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/11/28-742445.html
http://atkins.com/Archive/2004/12/6-107537.html
My kids are getting older and I need to let them make their own choices, but at the same time, I can at least give them an alternate look at nutrition instead of just learning the old myths that keep going round. 
~ Linda
My concern has been on the nutritional end when high-carb toast/pasta/etc is touted. I haven't tried disuading them, but have encouraged more of a balance when I can. They are good about fruits and peanut butter is encouraged, but there are no direct mentions of protein or fat that I've heard.
Now I'm glad to have found some good articles and information from Atkins.com. Instead of my word vs their friends, coaches and/or even the home ec. teacher (on the need for high carbs) it's good to have some solid information.
http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/11/28-742445.html
http://atkins.com/Archive/2004/12/6-107537.html
The Myth of Carb-Loading
You've probably heard of marathoners and other elite athletes inhaling gargantuan amounts of pasta before big endurance events, often referred to as carb-loading. It turns out that fat-loading may be more effective. More scientific research is required, however, studies on both animals and humans have suggested that a fat-rich diet may increase endurance. A 1994 study compared the effects of a high-carb/low-fat diet and a high-fat/low-carb diet on two groups of trained cyclists. During high-intensity exercise, the groups performed equally well; during prolonged, moderate-intensity exercise, endurance was significantly enhanced among the cyclists on the high-fat/low-carb regimen1. Two other studies on humans suggest that increasing dietary fat from 15 percent to 42 percent of total intake increases maximum oxygen consumption and endurance capacity2-3. The published research suggests that increases in dietary fat may be beneficial—not only for general health, but also for physical endurance.
You've probably heard of marathoners and other elite athletes inhaling gargantuan amounts of pasta before big endurance events, often referred to as carb-loading. It turns out that fat-loading may be more effective. More scientific research is required, however, studies on both animals and humans have suggested that a fat-rich diet may increase endurance. A 1994 study compared the effects of a high-carb/low-fat diet and a high-fat/low-carb diet on two groups of trained cyclists. During high-intensity exercise, the groups performed equally well; during prolonged, moderate-intensity exercise, endurance was significantly enhanced among the cyclists on the high-fat/low-carb regimen1. Two other studies on humans suggest that increasing dietary fat from 15 percent to 42 percent of total intake increases maximum oxygen consumption and endurance capacity2-3. The published research suggests that increases in dietary fat may be beneficial—not only for general health, but also for physical endurance.
exercise builds muscle tissue when there is adequate protein in the diet. Proteins, in fact, are the building blocks for muscle tissue. During exercise, the muscles are stressed—essentially causing dozens of tiny tears in the tissue. Proteins subsequently repair and rebuild this tissue, which is how your muscles maintain themselves and grow stronger. If you’re an active person, this occurs underneath your skin every day.
~ Linda