Why is Sports Nutrition Good for You

Staying fit takes more than just visiting the gym on a regular basis. You also have to make sure that what you feed your body is healthy, and this is where sports nutrition can help you.

“Some people think that sports nutrition is some over-complicated thing. The reality is sports nutrition is grounded in the same principles as general good healthy nutrition,” said leading sports nutritionist Dr. Dana Ryan.

Dr. Ryan is the director of Sports Performance and Education of Herbalife Nutrition. She recently visited the Philippines and shared her take on how sports nutrition can be beneficial to non-athletes.

“Sports nutrition is really about putting the right nutriments in your body at the right time. Whether you’re winning a race or coming in last place, you’re moving your body and your heart rate goes up. You’re using carbohydrates for fuel. When you’re breaking down muscles, you need protein to recover. The principles of sports nutrition becomes important for anyone who’s active,” she explained.

So, how does one incorporate sports nutrition into one’s daily activities? Dr. Ryan shares the following tips.

1. Make sure that you have adequate carbohydrates before you exercise because that’s going to be your body’s fuel source.

“We don’t store a lot of carbohydrates but it’s our first source of energy when we’re exercising,” Dr. Ryan said.

She added that you need to have some simple carbohydrates prior to working out.

“You can get that energy quickly from fruits,” she said.

2. Have some electrolytes when you’re exercising for over half an hour or doing an intense workout.

“When you sweat when you’re exercising, you lose electrolytes in addition to fluids. Drinking water is sometimes not enough. You need electrolytes to stay hydrated,” Dr. Ryan pointed out.

3. Get some good quality protein after you exercise.

“Have at least 20 grams of protein in combination with some carbohydrates,” Dr. Ryan advised.

She emphasized that protein is essential after a workout.

“When you exercise, you break down your muscle fibers. Consuming good protein can help rebuild them and make them stronger,” she said.

Dr. Ryan has a Ph.D. in physical activity, nutrition and wellness from Arizona State and holds a Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a certificate in nutrition for optimal health, wellness and performance.

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent members since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial members who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

Herbalife Nutrition also encourages investors to visit its investor relations website at ir.herbalife.com as financial and other information is updated and new information is posted.

Remain Healthy in the Age of Social Media

Director for Sports Performance and Education of Herbalife Nutrition Dr. Dana Ryan talked about the importance of balanced nutrition as a way to remain healthy in the age of social media at a recent media conference held at Shangri-La Makati.

Staying online for more than 10 hours, the average time that most Filipinos are connected to the internet, may lead to a number of health risks. This is according to leading sports nutritionist Dr. Dana Ryan, the director for Sports Performance and Education of Herbalife Nutrition.

Herbalife Nutrition Philippines Senior Director and Sub-region Head to the Philippines Sridhar Rajagopalan giving the opening remarks at the Herbalife Nutrition media conference that talked about How to Remain Healthy in the Age of Social Media.

“Unless you’re doing a physical activity while you’re online, it’s not healthy to stay inactive for long periods of time. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide. It increases the chances of serious diseases, such as cancer and diabetes,” Dr. Ryan said.

According to the WHO, more than 80% of the world’s adolescent population is “insufficiently physically active” with 1 in 4 adults “not active enough.”

“Not all of us may afford a gym membership, but that doesn’t excuse us from not being physically active on our own,” noted Dr. Ryan. “Take up some physical activity that you love. That way, you won’t see it as a chore, so can do it regularly.”

Director for Sports Performance and Education of Herbalife Nutrition Dr. Dana Ryan talked about the importance of balanced nutrition as a way to remain healthy in the age of social media at a recent media conference held at Shangri-La Makati.

She added that having a workout buddy would also be helpful as you’ll get to motivate each other. “Find a class or program that you can attend together. It also helps to set a goal for yourself. This way, you’ll stay motivated,” she suggested.

Walking to work, setting reminders to stand up every 30 minutes, standing during breaks, getting up during TV commercials, and using the stairs instead of taking the elevator are also some of the ways one can have a physical activity in a day.

(L-R) Herbalife Nutrition Philippines Marketing Manager Marie Segismundo with Herbalife Nutrition Director for Sports Performance and Education Dr. Dana Ryan during a Facebook live chat.

A member of the Herbalife Nutrition Scientific Leadership, which is comprised of leading experts from around the world in nutrition, science, and health, Dr. Ryan likewise advised against cutting certain macronutrients from one’s diet.

“For example, some people believe that they only need protein and cut out carbs from their diet. This is not true. When it comes to keeping healthy, just always remember balance, as the body needs a complex blend of nutrients to remain healthy,” she said. “Indeed, Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy recommends that you get about 40% of your calories in the form of beneficial carbohydrates – whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits; along with 30% from proteins, and no more than 30% from fats."

At the same time, Dr. Ryan pointed out the importance of balancing what you eat and what you burn.

“Balance the calories that you take in and what you burn, and your weight would remain stable,” she said.

Dr. Ryan added that staying online is not bad in itself; it’s just that people should remember to be active at times, rather than becoming too absorbed in the online world that they don't move for hours.

“Also, try to look up helpful tips on how to remain fit from reliable organizations. Look at the celebrity or influencer you admire as an inspiration, but don’t stress yourself into achieving what he or she has. The important thing is to remain active and healthy,” Dr. Ryan concluded.

IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent members since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial members who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

Herbalife Nutrition also encourages investors to visit its investor relations website at ir.herbalife.com as financial and other information is updated and new information is posted.