The Food Guide Pyramid (FGP), that familiar tool used to guide our nutrition choices, is currently undergoing a major overhaul.The existing FGP was first published in 1992, based on a document called the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”The information in the FGP is nutritionally “sound,”but somewhat outdated.

Martial artists are a diversified group with various nutritional needs.The new FGP will be especially important to martial artists, because the “typical” student can be male or female ages 3 to 80.

So what are the major revisions being made to the FGP? First is an expansion of the “food intake patterns” in the accompanying “consumer booklet.”The current guidelines offer only 3-calorie levels, but the new one will have 12, to better represent differences in requirements based on gender, age, and activity level.

The second revision is in the representation of the quantity of foods to consume.The current “serving” is confusing to many people, leading to over-eating. Since obesity is epidemic, an objective is to make the new FGP the best possible tool not only to assist us in making appropriate food choices, but also to balance our energy expenditure with our food intake.This is crucial in maintaining appropriate weight and performance for martial artists.

Finally, it may shift the emphasis of certain food groups over others, based on new research.One anticipated example is an emphasis on more fruits and vegetables over whole grains. There is likely to be a recommendation for increased consumption of dark green vegetables, legumes, oil, and soft margarines (as substitutes for solid fats) to increase consumption of dietary Vitamin E.

And of course, the guidelines are going to increase the amount of recommended exercise!

We don’t have to wait to make changes in our diets.We can balance our food intake with our activity level, watch the size of our food portions and exercise daily.We can eat from all food groups, especially the fruits and vegetables group and cut out unhealthy fats and added sugars.We can get the benefits of the new Food Guide Pyramid right now.

What Karate Means to Me

by Julia Fournier, Age 12

It means having a positive attitude toward yourself and others; developing self-esteem, confidence, and making the right decisions. Karate can be put in many words, but I would say it is meant to be a way a life. When I say it helps you have a positive attitude I mean it helps you not make a fool out of yourself. When you have a positive attitude other people want to be with you and when you have a negative attitude it just rubs off people so they’ll have a negative attitude too.

I learned how to treat others the way I want to be treated from martial arts. I think karate is the most motivational thing anybody could do. From just being a kid with no confidence I grew to become a kid with confidence and best of all self-esteem. When are striving to reach your goals and you think your not going to earn your way to that goal you still have the motivation to keep going. When I was testing for my black belt even though it was really hard I kept going and didn’t give up. I would say that karate has done all these things for me and that I am who I believe I can be.

Julia is a student at Fournier’s Olympic Karate Centers.

Is Your Child Fit for Life?

According to recent studies, many of today’s kids are spending way too much time “glued to the tube” and “surfing the net”. As a result, they are not getting the exercise they need to stay healthy and fit.

Parents: Why not make sure your child stays in shape with our “Fit for Life” martial arts program?

Our specialized curriculum teaches kids valuable selfprotection skills and builds confidence like no other activity. Plus, every class we teach provides a safe, fun, high-energy workout that motivates children to reach new levels of mental and physical performance.

So parents, give your child the edge. Try our special “Fit for Life” martial arts program today! for your child and we do too!

Martial Arts It's Not Just for Kids Anymore!

The secret’s out! Adults of all ages have discovered that martial arts training can help them get into great shape, blow-off steam, and kick their confidence level up a notch. Imagine getting in great shape while loving every minute of it. Now you can! Come join other adults in our beginning program, get fit, and feel like a kid again.