Stocking up on nutrients

“Our aim is to encourage Thais to embrace a healthy lifestyle starting by drinking cow’s milk. The campaign recommends a daily intake of 1-2 glasses of 100-per-cent fresh milk, complemented by daily exercise of at least one hour, and adequate rest, especially for young children and teenagers. Milk is also the best source of calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for bone-density building and preventing osteoporosis in adult life,” says Dr Olarn Chowiwattana, corporate affairs director of Friesland Campina (Thailand), manufacturer and marketer of Foremost dairy products. 
“Foremost by Friesland Campina is the presenting partner of the Junior NBA Project being organised by NBA for the fourth consecutive year in Thailand. The sponsorship aims to provide Thai youths with the chance to participate in the NBA’s International Basketball Programme. We want to promote cow’s milk as a daily sports beverage that can help increase athletic performance. We invited nutritional experts from the Sports Authority of Thailand to share tips and guidance for Thai families to obtain 100-per-cent health benefits from nutrition.”
Each day, we should obtain protein from meats, milk and eggs. A predominant function of dietary protein helps us repair and rebuild tissue, including damaged muscle fibres after exercise. Milk is regarded as one of the most valuable sources of protein and provides comprehensive nutrients for post-exercise recovery, as well as greater calcium absorption in the body.
Rice, breads and starch give carbohydrates and calories. Sport enthusiasts should consume adequate amounts of carbohydrate while training to avoid possible fatigue and weariness. A balanced diet made up of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are crucial for those doing sport on a regular basis. 
Cow’s milk is one of the best nutritive food sources containing all 9 essential amino acids required by the body. It also contains vitamins and minerals, especially phosphorous and calcium, which are vital for enhancing the strength of bones. Natural lactose found in cow’s milk is the component that makes it a low-glycaemic (Low GI) food. Milk slowly raises blood sugar over an extended period of time before it starts to decline at a steady rate, benefiting athletes who need prolonged energy during exercise. 
Recent research published by the Journal of the International Society of Sport Nutrition (JISSN) indicates that cow’s milk is superior as an exercise beverage to a typical sports drink, especially during recovery from resistance training and endurance sports. 
“Nutrition is vital to athletes as it serves as a source of energy to develop maximum athletic potential. As a result, knowledge of good nutrition is something that athletes and sports enthusiasts should never overlook. It can give them a competitive edge on the pitch and benefit their life off the pitch as well. Basically, athletes should ensure sufficient intake of all the five essential food nutrients in order that their body can perform continuously and efficiently,” says sport nutritionist Nawarat Wittawatsukol from the Sports Authority of Thailand. 
On top of good nutrition, sports and exercising regularly can maximise health benefits and Basketball is a sport suitable for the growing ages. It is a brisk sport, involving a lot of running, jumping, dribbling the ball, passing it and shooting it. 
As this sport involves lot of swift movement and rigorous use of the entire body and muscles and limbs, it aids in strengthening bone density and physical development. Shooting the ball into the hoop requires immense concentration and excellent coordination between hands, legs and eyes.