No Carbs Diet – Should You Start A No Carbohydrates Diet?

There are many different issues that can be considered when beginning a diet (calories, types of fat etc), and consumption of carbohydrates is one of them. So, should you start a No Carbohydrate Diet to help your weight loss? Here are some important points to consider.

What are Carbs? What Do They Do?

Carbohydrates are sugars and starches that provide our body with energy. As a result, a diet consisting of only No Carbohydrate Foods will leave you feeling fatigued and low on energy. These carbohydrates can be divided into two groups: Simple Carbohydrates found in dairy products, fruit, processed food like white bread and pasta; and Complex Carbohydrates contained in vegetables, brown rice and whole grain bread and pasta. The group of complex carbohydrates typically take longer to digest, and provide longer lasting energy.

Low, Not No Carbs

To have a true no carbs diet is going to severely limit you in terms of what you can eat. Most meats and fish are all zero carbs (as long as they are not processed), as are some cheeses like cheddar, camembert and parmesan. Then there are very low carbohydrate foods like salad vegetables – lettuce, cucumber and celery. Eggs, broccoli and cabbage are also very low in carbs.

Why Should I Start A No Carbs Diet?

The whole premise behind a no or low carb diet is that it leads to a reduced insulin production in the body, this causes it to use stored fat as the main energy source. A diet such as this typically involves eating large amounts of meat, cheese and butter which is why it is thought of as a luxurious diet. By not providing carbohydrates to the body, it is forced to use fat as the main energy source.

The Downside To A No Carbs Diet

The downside of this consequence is that some parts of the body are unable to use fat as their energy source (such as the brain, kidneys and red blood cells). Without carbohydrates to fuel them, the body will develop ‘ketone bodies’ as a substitute fuel for these parts of the body. When this occurs, the person is said to be in a state of ‘ketosis’. This state is typically characterised by bad breath, nausea and fatigue.

Who Should Go On A No Carbs Diet?

A low carb diet can cause pretty quick weight loss, which is why it is often the choice of famous people who need to drop a dress size for an event. These celebrities however do not go low carb permanently, or for health reasons. With this is in mind, it could be contended that a no or low carb diet is not for the average man or woman in the street. Not only will the high protein intake put an unnecessary burden on your kidneys, but getting into the regular practice of rapid weight loss followed by weight gain is not a healthy lifestyle choice.

Whilst a no carbs diet may show fairly fast results, it is by no means a balanced diet. A diet such as this will deprive your body of vital nutrients it needs, as well as starving your brain and kidneys of their primary energy source – carbohydrates. The detrimental effects to health involved far outnumber the short term and short lived weight loss.

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Proper Diet And Bodybuilding

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Many inexperienced (sometimes even experienced!) gym regulars believe that muscles grow while lifting weights. However lifting weights forms only a small fraction of the muscle building process. Muscle development takes place at night during deep sleep when the body synthesizes new cells with nutrients from our diet. Therefore nutrition forms a very important part of a bodybuilding program.

The body utilizes nutrients in food to perform daily metabolic and what’s commonly referred to as the “wear and tear processes”. With bodybuilding, additional strain is put on the body to make new muscle tissues. Therefore the nutrient requirements also shoots up to stay with the demand.

The best bodybuilding nutrition comes from a balanced intake of carbohydrates, adequate protein, vitamins, minerals, fats and large amounts of water. So if you are serious about getting lean and ripped it’s time to say goodbye to mayo burgers, colas and other synthetic foods. Adopt eating habits imbibing fruits, whole grains, milk, eggs and fresh farm products.

How much protein do you need?

Your growing muscles need amino acids to create new tissues. The amino acids are provided by protein in diet. There is a lot of debate on the exact quantity of protein required in bodybuilding. The caution to maintain is that extreme amounts of protein in the diet can cause gastric and renal complications. Recent studies have suggested that a protein intake of 1 to 1.4 grams per unit of body weight is adequate to sustain the bodybuilding process. This means that the protein requirement of a 70 kg individual should be around 70 to 98 grams. To give an estimate of the amount involved consider the following: A 100 gm chicken breast has 22 grams of protein, a glass of milk has 8 grams,an egg approximately 5 grams and a slice bread 3 grams.

A word of caution against the tide of bodybuilding supplements in markets. Many times you come across advertisements proclaiming, ‘Gain 20 pounds of muscle in 3 months flat!’. Stay clear of these money hungry advertisers. Building lean muscle takes time and effort. Making use of synthetic products which alter body’s natural mechanism would offset what should be your real purpose in bodybuilding which is to keep the body fit and healthy.

Lastly in bodybuilding it’s not, ‘the more the better’. Rather it is ‘the more precise the better’. Don’t over exert, eat balanced food and include plenty of rest. With everything good in life, patience, commitment, and balance will guarantee your success. With these tips in mind you are all set to pump iron!

Typically, when thinking of the word diet, we think temporary. Spring breaks, weddings and even weekend beach trips will get us to lose some weight. Unfortunately, these short term diets don’t work. They are unhealthy and once you stop them, your weight will come back. Studies show you’ll be heavier than when you started. Instead of diet, think lifestyle change. This doesn’t mean you have to give up fried chicken, pizza or even chocolate. Eating is a big part of our lives and should be enjoyed. An important concept to understand is moderation. If you can’t live without fried chicken, eat it, just not everyday. Plus if you have it less, you’ll enjoy it more.

Going from your favorite unhealthy foods to healthier alternatives is a huge jump. Next time you are flipping through channels, try and find a makeover show. Many of these shows try and get people to completely change their eating habits in less than a week. While this may seem healthy, it probably won’t lead to any long term changes. Put yourself in their shoes. What food do you eat that you know is unhealthy and really love? How would you feel if someone said you can’t ever have that food again? I don’t think I’d go for it.

An easier way to do it is gradually. Take a food you love and try to make it healthier. If you love pizza, instead of buying it ready, make it at home. There are easy to use crusts available at your grocery store. Add your own toppings. If you love fried chicken, try baked chicken. Don’t go out, make it yourself. Home made meals are almost always healthier than ones you get at a restaurant (fast food or not).

Another popular way to get healthier are fat-free or low fat versions of food. Cream cheese, peanut butter and milk all have low fat or fat free substitutes. Sometimes companies do a good job with taste and sometimes they don’t. In some cases it might not even be possible to get the same taste with all the fat taken out. This is why it is important to go down in steps. If your goal is to drink fat free milk but you’re using whole milk, don’t do it overnight. Take it in steps over the coarse of a few weeks. You won’t notice the difference in taste as much. The same goes for other dairy products. Also, if you just can’t stomach the fat free version, try the low fat version.

Most importantly, don’t ever deprive yourself of something you love. Sometimes we over indulge in what we enjoy. Instead of eating a large number of cookies, look at the nutrition label. Eat a serving and put the pack down.

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Minerals – Essential To Optimum Health. Find Out More Information

First and foremost you need to remember that the human body needs at least 90 nutrients to maintain optimum health, including a minimum of 59 minerals and 16 vitamins. The other factor that is worth to be mentioned about is that nowadays, a maximum of 23 minerals are present, which is why nutritionists representing governments around the world claim that only 13 minerals are needed for our well-being with perhaps another 10 giving some benefit. The truth is that it could be said that this is clearly the assumption with no real basis. You would almost certainly want to ask here what about the other 60+ minerals? All life on Earth evolved in the presence of all the minerals, so why do we not need them all these days?

It is also useful for you to remember that minerals are inorganic substances which exist naturally in the earth, many of which are vital to the growth and production of bones, blood, teeth, hair, nerves and skin. It should be in addition added that these minerals are known as “crucial” nutrients, which are: calcium, fluorine, copper, iodine, iron, chromium, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, potassium, selenium and zinc.

So, why do we need it? Well the point is that all of us need significant quantities of vital macrominerals (for example, calcium), such that they are usually measured in milligrams, and we require minute quantities of vital trace minerals (for instance, selenium), which are usually measured in micrograms.

It will be useful for you to find out that a single mineral does not work in isolation, rather, they are essential as synergistic elements to support physical health. Actually, they work best in association with all other minerals and trace minerals, the way they are found in unrefined whole foods.

Are they vital?

To provide you with more understanding of the matter and give the answer to this question it should be stated that these minerals are necessary as they critical for the production of vitamins, enzymes and hormones in the body, as well as proper blood circulation, cellular integrity, fluid regulation, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and energy production. To go into more details there is a need to add that these minerals work synergistically with each other and with other nutrients, such that any deficiency or overabundance of any mineral can cause disease.

It will be besides useful for you to take into account that vital minerals are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, meats and dairy products, however, most of the soil in which our produce is grown has long been depleted of these nutritive minerals. The truth is that commercial fertilizer is well known to include three primary minerals yet there are hundreds necessary for soil to be as fertile as to allow plant life to produce the minerals we need for optimum health.

That is the reason why, depending on local soil content and farming methods, amounts of vital minerals in our produce may vary widely. You should besides to pay attention to the fact that that there is a common opinion that organic farming methods preserve and replenish the necessary soil nutrients for healthy levels of these minerals in agricultural produce. It will be useful for you to know that there are some minerals that may be obtained from our water supply, but amounts there are as well widely varied and often unknown.

To conclude it should be added that the cooking and processing of food also compromises mineral availability and absorption, where many naturally occurring minerals are removed. It is really essential for you to bear in mind that a daily mineral supplement, although not a substitute for a healthy diet, can help to make sure that you get the mineral essential to the most positive health results.

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Power of Protein

Jennifer Hutchison asks how much protein a triathlete really needs.

How much protein does a triathlete need? Is protein in a sports drink really necessary?

These two questions can spark a firestorm of debate amongst sports nutrition professionals, nutrition savvy athletes and sport nutrition manufacturers that promote products packed with a protein punch. This month I will discuss the third macronutrient that provides balance and protection in an athlete’s diet, protein.

Protein Basics
Dietary protein, like carbohydrate and fat, performs a very important job in an athlete’s diet. Protein’s primary role in the body is to support growth, maintenance and repair of muscle and other body tissues, while also being a backbone for many hormones and enzymes and supporting a healthy immune system. An athlete’s overall health and performance can be closely tied to protein balance. Protein intake that is insufficient can place the athlete at risk for illness and or injury.

Body proteins are constantly being broken down and resynthesized on a daily basis both at rest and during training. Protein, although not a preferred fuel source, can be used to sustain physical activity. Gluconeogenesis is the body process that breaks down protein (think muscle) and converts it to carbohydrate (glucose) to be used as fuel.

Dietary protein’s main purpose should be for the repair and recovery of damage muscle and cells caused by training and racing as opposed to being used as a fuel source. In order to do this athletes must ensure that they are already meeting both their daily calorie and carbohydrate needs which have been addressed in previous articles.

Building Blocks
Protein is synthesized from amino acids (the building blocks of protein). There are 20 different amino acids (AA) that, in various combinations, create the different types of protein. What makes a particular protein source unique is how these AAs are combined.

There are two major categories of AAs: Essential and Nonessential.

Essential AAs cannot be made in the body therefore they must be supplied by the diet.
The essential AAs are Histidine, Isoleucine*, Leucine*, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptphan and Valine*

Food sources that contain all of the essential AAs are commonly referred to as “complete” proteins. These foods include animal proteins such as meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.

Side note: (BCAA) Branch chain amino acids (denoted with the * above) are essential AAs of interest to many endurance athletes as they are thought to play a role in mental “strength” and delaying fatigue. BCAAs are stored in the muscle and can be used as fuel during long training days and for 70.3 to Ironman races,particularly if carbohydrate intake falls short.

In theory, BCAAs supplementation (in the form of protein containing sports drinks) seems to make sense, but there is very little solid research which confirms a performance benefit. Consuming sports drinks with protein is not harmful. The biggest subjective issue I have encountered with Ironman athletes is taste. Sports drinks containing protein do not taste so swell after a few hours roasting in the heat. If an athlete is not keen on the taste of their sports drink, they most likely will not drink enough, which can be problematic on race day!

So the burning question: is a protein containing sports drink really needed during endurance training? The answer is no. With that said, I do know of many athletes who swear by their carb/protein potion. So as they say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fuss with it”.

Nonessential amino acids are just as important as essential AAs with the difference being these AAs CAN be made by the body and do not have to come from the diet. Nonessential AAs s are Alanine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Proline, Serine and Tyrosine.

Food sources that may be lacking in one or more of the essential AAs is referred to as “incomplete” proteins. All plant sources of protein (beans, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, nuts and seeds) with the exception of soy are considered incomplete.

Athletes that choose to follow a plant based (vegetarian) training diet should include soy products and incorporate variety in selecting beans/ legumes, whole grains and vegetables. Protein needs CAN be met following a vegetarian diet but these athletes have to ensure they compliment their grain choices with their meat alternative choices so that all the AAs are being supplied over the course of the day.

Protein Requirements
In spite of popular belief, endurance athletes can meet their protein needs without tons of dietary supplements.

The keys to meeting protein needs are 1) knowing how much protein to aim for 2) learning more about the protein content of various foods and 3) planning meals … which can be easier said than done!

Athlete protein needs are based on lean body weight (preferred over total body weight), the type of training (strength/power vs. endurance) and phase of training (base/ build/peak/race). Athletes new to physical training, in general will have a slightly higher protein need than those athletes who have more training experience.

The average athlete may only need the recommended 0.8 gm protein per kilogram body weight per day.

However the very nature of preparing for the 70.3 and Ironman distances will most certainly require a bit more to mend a body battered from 12 to 20+ weekly training hours.

The chart below can be used as a guide to estimate daily protein needs based on the daily training volume. It would be fair to say that athletes who have shorter, more intense, workouts which produce some degree of muscle damage (i.e. muscle soreness) may benefit from that next higher level of protein intake.

Daily Training	Grams per pound body weight	Grams per kilogram (kg) body weight
Up to 60 min per day	0.5	1.1
Between 1 to 2 hours	0.6	1.3
Between 2 to 3 hours	0.7	1.5
Greater than 3 hours	0.8	1.8

 

More is not better
Most athletes with a well balanced diet can easily meet their daily protein requirements. It is a common practice for some athletes to over consume protein believing this in turn will help boost lean body mass. The truth is that the body does not store excess dietary protein as muscle. Once dietary protein has fulfilled its role the excess is broken down and goes to be used as fuel, stored as body fat or excreted by the body via urine.

Protein content of various foods
Oils – none
Fruit- minimal
Grains- 3 grams per serving (1 sl bread, ½ c rice or pasta)
Nuts – 5 grams per 1 oz
Milk/Dairy/ Milk Alternative- 5 to 8 grams per serving (8 oz milk, 6 oz yogurt, 1 oz cheese) Cottage Cheese- 14 grams per ½ cup
Beans – 7 to 8 grams per ½ cup
Meat Alternative/ Soy – 16 to 20 grams per ½ c ( tofu, tempeh) 1 Egg – 7 to 9 grams
Meat – 21 to 27 grams per 3 oz cooked (beef, chicken, turkey, fish, pork)

How much is a portion? For most normal size athletes, the inside diameter of your hand and thickness of your palm is your rough guide to a meat portion appropriate for you.

Nutrition tips for meeting daily protein needs:

Include a protein containing food at every meal and every post workout snack.

To optimize the recovery process, target 10-20 grams of protein (along with the carbohydrate source) in post workout snacks.

Breakfast Ideas
· High protein cereal (ex: Kashi Go Lean), low fat dairy/soy (milk, yogurt)
· Scrambled egg white omelet w/ low fat cheese
· Add 1 scoop soy/ whey protein isolate powder to your hot cereal
· Use milk or soymilk instead of water for hot cereal.

Lunch Ideas
· Turkey/ Tuna/ Chicken Wrap, Beans & Rice, Bean Burrito
· Add part skim mozzarella cheese, crumbled tofu or chickpeas to salads
· Eating out? Request double meat on your sandwiches.

Dinner Ideas
· Tofu Stir Fry w/ Brown Rice, All Bean Chili w/ Rice
· Grilled Chicken, Lean Beef, Pork, Baked Fish with Potatoes or Pasta
· Quinoa and Black Beans served with shredded lowfat soy cheese

Snack Ideas
· Low fat Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Low fat Yogurt with fruit
· Chocolate Milk, Smoothie made w/ Soymilk
· Whole Grain Toast/ Muffin with Peanut or Almond butter

Adequate daily protein is crucial for athletes to maintain a strong, healthy and powerful body. Knowing what your daily needs are is one thing, but knowing you are consuming adequate protein on a daily basis is another. Make use of the many good online resources and lists that can be found that identify the quantity of protein contained in various foods and track your daily intake of not only protein but also carbohydrate and fat as previously discussed in the past couple Ironman.com nutrition articles. If all the numbers and calculations leave you with a headache then consider adding a sports dietitian to your personal performance enhancement team. The use of a qualified sports nutrition professional, like that of a skilled endurance coach can help you take the guess work out of your daily and weekly eating plan and allow you to focus on what most Ironman and 70.3 athletes enjoy the most……..train, eat, sleep and race.

Jennifer Hutchison, RD, CSSD is Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a USA Triathlon Certified Level 3 Elite Coach. As a Registered Dietitian, Jennifer uses her academic training, certifications and “real world” experience to help fuel athletes worldwide. You can direct comments, questions or suggestions for further articles to Jennifer via email to eSportsRD@aol.com or go to www.IronCladCoaching.com . References available upon request.

Important Issue Of Nutrition – Get Your Nutrition Now!.

It is no big secret that good nutrition provides good health. Although most people are aware of the health benefits of eating nutritious food, many individuals still continue to neglect their choice of food and end up causing themselves unnecessary harm. Here’s a list of how good nutrition can be beneficial for your body and mind:

BETTER PERFORMANCE

To perform even the smallest task, the body needs to have energy. The proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the food you eat contribute to the energy that your entire body needs. But to conserve this energy you require certain vitamins and minerals, which can be obtained either from foods or supplements.
If your diet does not contain any of these integral vitamins and minerals, you could face serious health problems. By ensuring proper energy through the vitamin and mineral intake by means of the foods you eat, you’ll provide your body with the necessary fuel needed to do all the tasks required to maintain a healthy life.
These include the production and maintenance of body tissues, the electrical conduction of nerve activity, the mechanical work of muscle effort, and heat production to maintain body temperature.

GOOD FOR CELLS

The body functions through a very a synchronized intricate system. The cardiovascular, reproductive and respiratory systems can be broken down to a cellular level where hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters are constantly interacting through complex processes to make the body function. These processes are all made possible by the nutrients that we ingest every day.
A diet deficient in vital nutrients will soon lead to disease. By eating foods from a variety of different sources — both animal — and plant-based — you will provide your body with the essential nutrients without which its cells cannot function properly and effectively.

TISSUE GROWTH

Good nutrition has the advantage that it ensures growth, healing and the maintenance and build-up of muscle mass. For these essential processes to take place, the body needs energy, certain vitamins and minerals, but especially protein on a daily basis.
Protein can be obtained primarily from animal products such as meat, eggs and milk. Most plant foods are relatively poor in protein, with the exception of legumes and beans. Although the non-vegetarian diet generally incorporates enough protein, vegetarians may be getting too little of this vital nutrient. If you’re a vegetarian, it is important that you make a point of including protein-rich foods in your diet. The advantage is that, should you suffer an injury, your body will be ready and able to repair the damaged tissue. You will also be able to maintain your muscle mass and increase it when you exercise.

BETTER IMMUNITY

Foods and nutrients can play an immune-boosting role. The key is to optimize your intake of plant-based foods, such as fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts and legumes. Including more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet by eating more fish is also helpful.

AVOID CHRONIC DISEASES

Good nutrition can be used as a tool to combat chronic diseases of lifestyle. It is a well-known fact that obesity and overweight can lead to chronic diseases, like diabetes type 2, heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. Make a point of including more plant-based foods in your diet. Plant-based foods generally have a lower fat content, are rich in fibre and are also excellent sources of phytochemicals.

SOUND MENTAL HEALTH

The most basic principle in preventing depression and mood swings, is to eat a balanced diet that contains foods from all the different food groups — fruit and vegetables, unprocessed grains and cereals, lean meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, legumes and nuts, poly or monounsaturated margarine and oils. A good diet and sufficient intake of the omega-3s, can also help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
The only person responsible for your health is you. If you take the initiative to maintain good health, it will only benefit you. Read more other articles about best life insurance company and cat insurance.

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Free Info About Elements Of Good Nutrition .

With the amount of information that exists about good nutrition, you would think it was a big mystery. The truth of the matter is, there is no mystery involved in getting the proper nutrients that your body needs. Why should you care about getting the proper nutrients? Many people are under the misconception that eating healthy is for the young because they are growing. Tissue and cells are constantly being renewed in both children and adults. The failure for these elements to repair themselves can result in diseases of lifelong misery or worse, death. To lower your risk of developing a disease, you simply need to follow three simple steps of good nutrition.

Proper Hydration
Plain and simple, your body needs water. Being properly hydrated will benefit you from head to toe. Water keeps your cells hydrated and flowing throughout your body. It doesn’t take long to witness the benefits of drinking sufficient water. Just a week of being hydrated and your skin will have a new glow. If you need to lose weight, water can help you achieve your goal. In many instances, people misinterpret thirst for hunger. Unless it’s been a few hours since you have eaten, have a glass of water the next time you have hunger panes.

There are numerous guidelines for how much water to drink. Consuming eight glasses of water each day is the most popular guideline. People have different needs. A better indication of how hydrated you are is your urine. When you are properly hydrated your urine is almost clear. There is the possibility of water intoxication so you don’t want your urine to be completely colorless.

Eating Healthy
In addition to being hydrated, you need to eat a variety of foods. Forget fad diets that restrict certain foods. The key to healthy eating is to eat in moderation and variety. Your food choices should include a large percentage from complex carbohydrates, which is sufficient for energy. You should also consume several servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy every day. You should limit your servings of protein and fats to two or three servings each day. By including all of these food groups in your diet, you are less likely to be hungry or have cravings for sweets and other non-nutritional foods.

Vitamin Supplementation
As long as you live in a country where food is plentiful and produced safely, you should have no problem obtaining the amount of vitamins and minerals your body needs. However, food allergies, dislikes, and illness may prevent you from eating certain foods. Some people, for example, are lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy products. In these instances, supplementation should become a part of a plan for healthy nutrition. You don’t need a prescription to purchase vitamins, but it is a good idea to discuss your particular needs with your medical doctor. Consuming excessive amounts of some vitamins can cause toxicity and unpleasant side effects. Read more other articles about cryotherapy for prostate cancer and cryosurgery for prostate cancer.

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Nutrition for Young Runners

Running is a popular sport with children and adolescents around the world.

Depending on the age and calibre of the young athlete, training may range from the weekly school Physical Education lesson to structured sessions at a local club or to participation in one of the special training plans on The World Keeps Running.

The goals of training may range from simply having fun, to improving fitness and physique, to developing running skills and preparing for an event.

For the youngest age groups, there should be no special need for any change to diet. The main aims are to minimise the risk of gastrointestinal upset and to avoid problems of dehydration on hot days. It may be best to avoid solid food for two to three hours before training and particularly an event as the combination of exercise and nerves can cause some gastric distress.

Children can often be out in the sun for many hours on sports days, and adults should be vigilant to ensure frequent application of sun cream and to be aware of any child who seems to be having problems. Ample fluid should be available, and children may need to be reminded to take small amounts of drinks at regular intervals.

The physiology of children and adolescents differs from that of adults in several ways. The mechanisms of thermoregulation are less efficient in children, and special attention must be paid to the environment, activity patterns, clothing and hydration to avoid problems of hyperthermia or hypothermia.

The growth spurts during childhood and adolescence require nutritional support in terms of adequate intake of energy, protein and minerals.

Active young people may find it difficult to meet their needs for energy and nutrients when the costs of training and growth are added. Young people may not have developed the nutritional knowledge and time management skills to fit in all the eating occasions required to achieve high energy, nutrient-rich eating.

The rate of obesity in children is still rising, but active youngsters do need a plentiful supply of energy from foods and energy-containing drinks.

Young athletes eating a wide range of foods should not need to use dietary supplements, and athletes and coaches should be aware that these do not provide a short cut to success.

Encourage children to become involved in menu planning for the family meals, and for special needs associated with their training and competition sessions. Encourage positive messages that good eating practices, involving good choices of foods and drinks, are part of the formula for sporting success, and a healthy life.

Children often need snacks to meet their energy needs over the day, and the special needs of recovery from sport. These snacks should involve nutrient-rich choices such as fruit, sandwiches, dried fruit and nuts, flavoured dairy products, and cereals and milk. Some planning is needed to have these choices on hand over the day, and before or after sport.

Things That You Eat That Make You Fat

It is easy to deceive yourself into thinking things that you eat are healthy. Dressed smart food packing lead to the adoption, it is to help you lose weight.

But do they?

The truth is that most of the time the only thing special about the so-called healthy food, sale intelligently. Have you ever fooled by food?

So-Called Healthy Food # 1: Who SALAD is not just himself feeling when ordering a salad, is not it? Salads are healthy, salads and even weight loss. Unfortunately, no more.

Salad itself is a wonderful, healthy food. It is full of nutrients and without artificial additives. If only we beließen.

Most of the salads to the card are now loaded with the fat loaded Tools. Croutons, tortilla-strip, nuts, and Fried Chicken (not the best source of protein). And do not forget the salad dressing.

If you know that salad dressing is not very healthy, you can not know, treat the number of calories of fat when packed in these Dressings. Most people add between a quarter and half a cup of salad dressing, and with the average of creamy salad dressing weight of 8-12 grams per tablespoon of fat you can see a collection of innocent Greens can be fast in a spare wheel.

So-Called Healthy Food # 2: 100-calorie packs in the snack section of your local grocery store you’ve probably seen attractive packaging “100 Calorie Packs”. This light and airy Snack Pack send a subtle message that they are healthy and in conformity with the desire for fat. I think, as can be harmful? Let’s take a look at the snacks within the package. Here are the most popular:

* Wafer cookies
* Cracker Snack Mix
* Peanut Butter Cookies
* Cheese Cracker
* Chocolate Chips Cookies
* Shortbread Cookies

The list Sounds like junk food-doesn’t it? These items are sugar, salt and fat, and they do not contain one ounce of nutritional value. And let’s be honest, most people do not eat just one box …

So-Called Healthy Food # 3: If a field of grain cereals help lose weight? This is the message sent by a handful of cereal brands, namely cereal Special K. The manufacturer also went to the Special K Challenge, a program that data drop 6 pounds in 2 weeks. The message that consumers make most of the cereal advertising: “If I eat cereal brand, and I lose weight.”

Do not wait to take a bowl of cereal of your choice with your Skinny Jeans only.

It is dangerous to believe that all foods to promote weight loss, including adequate food, items in the simple carbohydrates. In the small, you will see that the grain claims to lose weight, if a very low calorie, and the harvest itself has no weight loss inducing power.

The healthy choice in general, ignore on fatty foods, packaging the information you really need is on the label. Healthy eating is easy to find if you follow the instructions.

1. Eat Fresh: The healthiest foods in the world is fresh, non-food as a whole. These include fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes, and nuts and seeds raw. These costs of your body with vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which is invaluable to your health. When it comes to meat, poultry and dairy products to choose grass fed and hormone and antibiotic free.

2. Limitations: Let’s be honest. Just because something does not edible, you should eat. A key to a healthy diet, to determine the positions to limit or even eliminate from your diet.

* Cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that your intake of cholesterol through diet to less than 300 milligrams per day.
* Saturated fatty acids. Their inclusion of saturated fats should be less than 7% of total daily calories.
* Trans Fat. It is recommended that you have fat food and your food or leave it below 1% of total daily calories.
* Sugar. Most of us eat more sugar than we should. Make a habit of revising the list of ingredients of foods you eat. When the sugar is the first ingredient, you know that the article is a game with sugar.

3. Check out the whole picture: A healthy diet is a combination of fats, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals per day. Remember that eating too much healthy food can also lead to weight gain. All the food you should eat whole, to ensure a balanced diet rich in calories, control.

The essence is that you must eat to live not live to eat. Your body will thank you.

Would you have any other ideas, like the body of your dreams without hunger itself to the exercise routines or boring? Contact me today, the first steps on a fitness program, it will change your body and your health.

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5 Ways to Avoid Knee Injuries While Running

By Marrecca Fiore

 

Whether you're training for a marathon or enjoying a daily jog, running may be a good way to maintain good health. But it’s hard on the joints, especially the knees.

As many as 70 percent of runners may experience knee injuries at some point in their lives, according to Dr. Kevin Plancher, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist.

And spring is one of the most common times of the year for running injuries to take hold.

“We see a lot of runners with injuries in the springtime and it’s not because they did anything wrong,” said Plancher, who owns Plancher Orthopedics and Sports Medicine with offices in New York City and Greenwich, Conn. “Runners get so excited once the warm weather hits that they go out and start running without stretching and without replacing their shoes from last year. And injuries can occur in runners whether they’re 20 or 40 or 60 years old.”

The most common knee injuries are patello-femoral pain, also known as runner’s knee, and iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome.

Runner's knee occurs when the kneecap (patella) rubs against the bottom of the thighbone, and can result in irritation and erosion of cartilage, Plancher said. ITB syndrome involves irritation to the band of tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh, which can become irritated from repetitive rubbing over the outside of the knee.

There are ways to prevent knee injuries, however.

“Just because you're a runner doesn't mean you'll have runner's knee — or any other knee injury," Plancher said. "These problems are typically caused by overuse or by a misalignment of the joint that's exacerbated by improper running habits — all things that can be avoided."

Here are some tips on how to prevent knee injuries:

1. Wear the right shoes. Forget cushioning for a second. First, runners need to find a shoe that fits their feet correctly. For example, some people have wide widths, others have more narrow widths. A doctor can help you find the right the fit for your foot.

 

Also, Plancher warns that even the most expensive pair of sneakers probably won’t provide runners with adequate support.

“A lot of running shoes nowadays have little support,” Plancher said, suggesting that users remove the inserts or insoles that come with their sneakers and buy new ones that offer better support.

“There are good inserts and bad inserts, it doesn’t really matter the brand,” he said. “The most important thing is to buy one that has a little rigidity to it. If you can bend it in half, it’s not going to offer you enough support.”

2. Always stretch. Stretching your muscles is necessary before any run whether long or short, fast or leisurely, Plancher said.

“Don’t underestimate the importance of stretching,” he said. “It’s the best way to get the blood flowing, especially in cool weather.”

In addition to knee injuries, stretching can also help runners prevent hip injuries, shin splints, and foot-cramping, Plancher said.

3. Cross train. Not surprisingly, runners tend to focus on one and only one method of exercise: running. Doing so tends to bring the body out of balance. In the case of runners, they tend to end up with hamstrings (the muscles the run along the back of the thigh) that are stronger than their quadriceps (which run along the front of the thighs.)

Plancher recommends runners add core-strengthening workouts to their routine that strengthen both the front and the backs of thighs, as well as the muscles of the hips and buttocks.

4. Don’t over do it. Once the warm weather hits, runners tend to immediately begin running long distances. Often, it’s a matter of taking on too much too soon. Plancher recommends starting out slowly and building your way back up to the longer runs you were doing last spring and summer.

For those who run year-round, overtraining can occur from running long distances too often without any breaks in between.

“Be sure to incorporate one or two days of rest each week, and mix a few easy or short runs in with the hard or long ones,” Plancher said. “Don't increase your mileage by more than 10 percent a week. Start at a slow pace and be sure to stretch before and afterwards, to keep your muscles limber and your joints flexible.”

5. Eat right, supplement wisely. Runners need to the right types of nutrients in order to maintain healthy joints. Experts recommend adults get 1,000-1,200 milligrams of calcium each day, Plancher said. Dark green vegetables and dairy products are the best sources of calcium.

Additionally, many runners take glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements. Glucosamine is an amino sugar that seems to play a role in cartilage formation and repair, and chondroitin is a complex carbohydrate that helps cartilage retain water and maintain its elasticity. Plancher said some doctors even offer glucosamine shots to their patients.

Although the supplements don’t help everyone, some research has shown that taking the two together can provide relief for people with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain. Plancher recommends a dosage of 1,500 mg per day of glucosamine and 1,200 mg a day of chondroitin sulfate.

 

 

Recovery strategies to enhance performance and reduce injury

By Shawn Talbot, PhD.
In the realm of elite sport, scientists, coaches and athletes are aware that a hallmark of top-level athletic performance is an outstanding ability to recover from intense workouts and competition. And understanding how nutrition is linked to recovery is essential. For trail runners, full recovery after a big day pounding the dirt is often the difference between staying healthy and injury free or being stuck indoors due to illness or chronic pain. The Downside to a Good Workout An exhausting trail run can leave your body dehydrated, depleted of glycogen (carbohydrate) stores, overexposed to free radicals (leading to cellular damage) and cytokines (leading to inflammation) and suffering from tissue damage (mostly leg muscles and lungs). This "depletion" is what causes sore muscles, stiff tendons, creaky joints and low energy levels for a day or two following a hard effort. Studies from the Australian Institute of Sport and from Appalachian State University show that after a middle-distance race (five to 13 miles) as much as 70 percent of participants experience an upper-respiratory tract infection such as a cold, flu or sore throat due to a temporary exercise-induced suppression of the immune system. An ideal recovery strategy involves immediately replacing what your body lost during exercise through proper recovery nutrition. Nutritional Recovery Triad Three aspects to optimal post-exercise recovery are hydration, glycogen replacement and "biochemical balance," which involves reducing inflammation in joints and muscles, reversing oxidation, repairing tissue and restoring the immune system. Oxidation and inflammation are related chemical reactions that cause cellular damage, leading to problems such as fatigue, infections and muscle soreness. Since it can be difficult to drink enough during long, intense sessions, assume your body is dehydrated post-run and drink more than your thirst demands. Electrolyte beverages with a low sugar concentration are superior to water in the body’s ability to absorb and retain the fluid. Despite the wide variety of bars, gels and beverages, the bottom line is to select something that tastes good and your stomach can tolerate. A post-exercise snack immediately replaces the sugar stores burned off during exercise. Consuming carbohydrates and protein in liquid form (such as one-percent chocolate milk) is a convenient way to refuel and rehydrate simultaneously. As a rule of thumb, consume around 300 to 500 carbohydrate calories as soon as possible following exercise. Great snacks are banana with yogurt, a handful of nuts and an apple or a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with berries and one-percent milk. Wash down solid food with plenty of water or sports drink. While rehydration and glycogen replacement replaces what your body lost, biochemical balancing restores the body’s chemistry to normal levels. Exercise-induced inflammation and oxidation damages muscles, lung tissue and temporarily suppresses the immune system. Until you have rested, you are at increased risk of colds, flu and other respiratory tract infections, injuries such as tendonitis, strains, stress fractures and overtraining which characterized by lethargy, depression and general moodiness. Anti-oxidant-rich berries (blueberries, blackberries and raspberries), most fruit juices (orange, grape, and apple) and dietary supplements containing flavonoids and inflammation-reducing enzymes help repair tissues. Foods containing these nutrients are pineapple and papaya, roasted soy nuts and other soy products containing immune-balancing beta-sitosterol. Powerful Protein Although regular moderate exercise is associated with strengthening the immune system, intense training and competition suppresses immune function. The longer the event, the longer this affect can last. A marathon-distance run can leave an athlete susceptible to infection and viruses for up to two weeks, during which time the body cannot effectively fight off infections or repair exhausted muscles and joints. Protein is made up of amino acids and is essential for rebuilding damaged muscle tissue and restoring immune system function. Protein-packed foods, such as milk or yogurt (non low-fat varieties) or a palm-sized portion of beef, poultry, fish or legumes (beans), provide amino-acid building blocks for tissue repair. The immune system uses proteins made up of glutamine and the three branched chain amino acids (BCAA) as fuel. Whey protein, found in some post-exercise recovery drinks and dairy products, is a decent source of all four essential amino acids, but some studies suggest that amino acid uptake is faster when consumed as isolated nutrients in the form of dietary supplements. Look for products that deliver effective levels of BCAAs (1500mg) and glutamine (1000mg) in the proper ratios for post-exercise immune system support. Don’t fall for the "more is better" gimmick, but instead look for products that back up their formulations with research studies on runners. All protein-containing foods will have some BCAAs and glutamine, but dairy products (because of their whey component) are a particularly good food source. Recovery-enhancing nutrition may be the most reliable method to improve your trail running. Don’t just eat something after coming off the trail; instead, give some thought to "functional eating." When to Eat What Immediate after-workout snack Within two hours of your run, consume an easy-to-digest carbohydrate- and protein-containing snack with plenty of fluid. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a great choice, but eat to satisfy your personal tastes. Immediate post-exercise snacks jumpstart your body’s repair process. Evening Post-Workout Meal Your post-run dinner is a major source of tissue-repairing nutrients. This meal should include adequate protein (such as a palm-sized portion of chicken breast), carbohydrates (one or two fist-sized portions, such as pasta), antioxidants (two handfuls of brightly colored fruits or vegetables, such berries or citrus) and some added fat (a golf ball or shot-glass sized portion of full-fat salad dressing or olive oil or butter). Over the Next Week Before the Next Big Outing Continue taking your amino acid supplements–BCAAs and glutamine–to ensure adequate immune system function and repair any lingering muscle or lung damage. Dehydration can persist for several days following a long run and even modest levels of dehydration can inhibit recovery, so be sure to hydrate adequately (indicated by clear urine) before your next trail run. Shawn Talbott holds a PhD in nutritional biochemistry and MS in Exercise Science, and practices recovery principles after his trail runs in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. He can be reached at smtalbott@supplementwatch.com.

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