Culinary Waves: by Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson Not everyone gets to return to their roots for the holidays, but you can bring your roots…
Culinary Waves: by Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson
We need energy to move, to walk, to talk, to think. We even need energy to sleep. And as yachties, we usually are busy expending most of our energy to be more productive on board. We race to throw fenders over the side, rush to the store for supplies, run upstairs to the deck to deliver dinner. Get my drift? Somewhere in that process we forget to slow down and focus on what we should be putting into our bodies for the energy we need to keep on going without crashing.
It’s confusing – all those “energy” drinks, protein shakes, protein bars – which ones do you choose? What if it is not the right thing for your body? Is this the best choice you can make? Do you need to feed your body carbs or proteins or fat to sustain energy onboard all day? So many questions! Here are some answers.
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins belong to the macronutrient category because your body has to use them in large quantities. Carbohydrates fuel our bodies with energy by being broken down into glucose, which can be used immediately or sent to the liver and muscles to be stored as glycogen. When carbs are metabolized in the body, energy is released through oxidation. This is an ongoing process.
While proteins have other primary functions, they can be considered an energy source when carbs are not abundant because of depletion from prolonged exercise or an inadequate daily diet. Proteins are made up of amino acids, and if the body needs energy, it can turn some amino acids into glucose. To make the amino acid into what it needs, the liver basically strips the nitrogen from it. Protein, however, shouldn’t be considered a major source of energy for the body, because under ordinary circumstances, it only supplies about 5 percent of the body’s energy need.
Finally, fats provide a concentrated source of energy – more than twice the potential energy of carbs or protein. When the carb stores run out after lengthy exercise or long periods of hard labor, the body turns to the fat stores for energy. But keep in mind that foods high in fat and calories require more energy to break down and can leave you feeling tired and fatigued.
Here are some foods to get your energy level back up:
So when you are about to grab that fast food or “energy” drink before starting your watch or swabbing down the deck, think twice. There are better foods to fuel your body and give you the sustained energy you will need.
Mary Beth Lawton Johnson is a certified executive pastry chef and Chef de Cuisine and has worked on yachts for more than 25 years. Comments are welcome below.
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