The divers using the Rescue Davit System need a highly energetic diet, which can include snacks between dives and must provide sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration. Dietitians recommend diets rich in fiber and low in fat, with abundant cereals, vegetables and fruit.
These tips are also good for the Sub. Carbohydrates provide rapidly usable energy. Our body accumulates energy in the form of “glycogen” in the muscles and the liver. During the year, we use the accumulated reserves, which must be restored. To achieve this, for example before a dive, we need a light meal rich in carbohydrates. These should represent 55 – 60 percent of the daily energy intake.
Foods rich in carbohydrates are pasta, rice, bread, cereals, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and fruit juices. Foods rich in simple carbohydrates should, however, be used sparingly: foods like sweets and biscuits, in fact, have many calories, but poor nutritional value.
Protein foods are essential to replenish or build muscle mass and for proper muscle function. The protein requirement, however, is lower than the contribution of today’s Western diets. The recommended daily dose of protein is 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight, in the healthy adult. This means, for example, 200 to 300 grams of lean meat per day.
An excess of protein, however, can be useless and contribute to dehydration, due to the increased need for water for the excretion of protein side-products through the urine. Despite the bad publicity fats have today are important elements of nutrition. The recommended intake is around 30 percent of the total daily calories. Fat contributes to the sense of satiety, and is also important as a source of energy, but must be taken in moderation.
It is known that the fat contained in extra virgin olive oil, particularly rich in poly-unsaturated fats and natural anti-oxidants should be preferred to animal fats such as meat or butter. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are also useful in maintaining low levels of LDL cholesterol (dangerous) and high levels of HDL cholesterol (useful)
Proper feeding is important for diving using the Rescue Davit System. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages should be avoided, as they can both contribute to dehydration. Drinks “for sportsmen” are thick, rich in sugar, extra calories and superfluous salts, the best drink is water, which should be drunk in abundance, especially on hot and sunny days.
If you take food between dives, do only light snacks, especially if you are on a boat and tend to suffer from seasickness. Obesity can be dangerous, increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, joint disease and certain types of cancer.