Athletes are always searching for ways to improve performance. Most athletic dietary goals are focused on preventing and controlling inflammation, reducing impact on joints, countering oxidative damage, and increasing energy. With so many supplements and drinks on the market, it makes you wonder if there are actually natural ways to increase physical performance and recovery? Hydration Before exercising most of us know that hydration is very important. When … [Read more...]
Nutrients to Aid Back Pain
The back is one of the most common health problems in the Unites States. The doctors who author the annual text Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment say that 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their life, and this problem ranks second among reasons to visit a doctor (Bauman, 2012). This means many of us are suffering or will suffer from back pain within our lives. In 1997 it was reported that the average expense for those who … [Read more...]
High Protein Snacks – For Home Or On The Go
Having trouble finding a healthy snack that will be good to your tastebuds and your muscles? We've piled up some ideas including quick on the go snacks and recipe ideas as well to make during your meal prepping days! Foods high in protein help your body repair fatigued muscles in able for them to grow. Not getting enough protein in your diet may cause your muscles to be more sore and exhausted after workouts. With adequate and quality protein foods, your muscles … [Read more...]
The Skinny on Essential Nutrients
Nutrient information is foundational for anyone interested in (healthy) weight maintenance, gain, or loss. No one can out train a poor diet, not even Lance Armstrong … ok, maybe Lance! Genetics play a huge role but after that, nutrition takes a close second in determining how a body responds to any given weight loss plan. The general consensus among armatures and experts is that a weight/fat loss plan needs a consistent and complementary resistance training … [Read more...]
4 Ways to End New Year’s Fad Diets Forever
There's Weight Watchers, Paleo Diet, Jenny Craig, Mediterranean Diet ... so which one do you choose? As most of us know these diets work for just a short time, they are temporary, and these fad diets can potentially negatively affect your metabolism. But there's good news! Balancing your caloric intake and proportions of macronutrients and micronutrients means you can kiss fad diets goodbye! Being healthy and fit doesn't have to be hard and intimidating. A … [Read more...]
Benefits of Drinking Water
How Much Water Should You be Drinking? You’ve probably been told, “Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.” This advice isn’t necessarily true. The recommended amount can vary depending on your age, gender, and whether or not you’re pregnant. A Dietary Reference Intake Report stated that men ages 19 and up should be consuming around 13 cups a day and women ages 19 and up about 9 cups a day. Here are the Benefits of Drinking Water To encourage you to get … [Read more...]
Nutrition 101 – Protein
Regardless of whether you are a bonafide meat eater or vegan, we all need to include protein in our diet. This is because protein plays an essential role in the proper functioning of the body as they are the building blocks for life. Protein makes up about 16 percent of the human body and is part of every single cell in the human body (i.e., brain cells, muscle, skin, hair and nails). So, as you can see, protein is an essential part of a healthy and nutritious diet. … [Read more...]
Nutrition 101 – The Basics
For some reason proper nutrition and eating a well-balanced diet seems to elude many of us. If we were all able to complete this simple task, the health of the western world would be in a much better position than it currently is, and the national health bill would be much less. All these lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders and some allergies and cancers could be avoided if we just ate a balanced, … [Read more...]
Ask the Expert – Exercise and Nutrition (Part Two)
In "Ask the Expert - Exercise and Nutrition (Part One)" we got a chance to catch up with fitness and nutrition expert, Kris Abbey, to find out her take on some common questions regarding exercise and nutrition. Here is the continuation of that discussion. 6. Should active individuals consider added supplements to their current food intake? I’m a fan of supplementation. If you can’t get what you need through diet alone, than taking a supplement is a good … [Read more...]
Ask the Expert – Exercise and Nutrition (Part One)
Have you ever wondered why you may not be getting results with all of the hard work you've been putting in at the gym? You are consistent with your workouts and you know how to get the most out of each exercise. Well ... the problem most likely is what you're feeding your body in between workouts! Exercise and nutrition work hand-in-hand when it comes to the results you see in the mirror and your overall performance. Much like a formula one car requires very … [Read more...]