Next time you go food shopping, take care of what you add on to your cart. Take less of processed food that come in packages. Instead, choose fresh fruits and vegetables for your everyday diet.
Read and learn.
Here is a list of 5 best foods that are great for good health, especially for fitness enthusiasts.
Milk
How is milk good for fitness?
About 90% of milk is water that helps hydrate the body while on a workout drill.
Contains all of the essential amino acids which are the basic building blocks of proteins. It helps heal muscles after every workout session.
All dairy products including milk are a main source of calcium. It helps strengthen bones for withstanding physical stress during workouts.
In short, every glass milk is rich in proteins, calcium and high on water content, as well. It’s one of best basic food for those following a fitness diet, improving their activity levels.
How to include milk in your fitness diet
Endurance athlete’s all-time favourite, a cup of chocolate flavoured. It has two major ingredients – energy giving €carbs’ and muscle-repairing €proteins’ that acts as a major energy booster. Also, any milkshake or fruit smoothie made at home would also give the same benefits.
Dried Fruits
How are dry fruits good for fitness?
Dry fruits include raisins, fig, apricots and dates to name a few.
They are high on natural sugar content and therefore are a concentrated source of carbohydrate. In addition, they also rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, potassium and phytonutrients.
How to include dry fruits in your fitness diet?
You can very well substitute dry fruits for energy gels during long races. They naturally have plenty of high glycaemic index (GI) carbs that provides energy for any endurance event.
Before a race
You can have one or two servings of dry fruits
During a race
You can take two to three servings of dry fruits for every hour of running.
Note: A single serving equals to roughly three dried figs.
Broccoli
How is broccoli good for fitness?
Contains antioxidants that helps prevent heart diseases
Rich in fibre that helps promote digestion
High on vitamins and minerals that helps improve overall body functioning and rejuvenation. For instance, it’s a main source of calcium and a good alternative to dairy products for those suffering from lactose intolerance.
Folate, a natural form of folic acid found in broccoli is good for healthy heart and soon to-be-pregnant women.
How to include broccoli in your fitness diet?
Low levels of calcium in your body can make you more vulnerable to stress fractures, primarily if you’re practising to participate in endurance sports. Make sure you have sufficient level of calcium intake in your diet, ideally about 700mg per day for an adult.
Brazil nuts
In general, all nuts are nutrition-packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre.
So, what’s makes about Brazil nuts special for fitness diet?
They are a good source of selenium, a mineral and micronutrient which helps maintain a healthy immune system. It can also help protect against heart disease and cancers.
The heart-healthy ‘good’ fats found in Brazil nuts help lower bad
cholesterol levels.
On a cautionary note:
They are high in calories when taken in large amounts for snacks.
How to include Brazil nuts in your fitness diet?
Long hours of exercise and high degree of activity levels can make you feel exhausted and hungry at the end of the day. It can even lead to cravings for snack food, at times. Brazil nuts are a healthy snack food packed with nutrients and also curbs hunger pangs at tea-time.
Salmon
How is Salmon good for fitness diet?
A rich source of Omega 3, a fatty acid which ensures a healthy heart.
Protein-packed food that helps repair and rebuild muscles. It also replenishes lost nutrients to the body after a heavy workout.
How to include Salmon in your fitness diet?
It’s a great choice for post-workout meal.
Make the most out of these 5 power-packed foods in your everyday fitness diet. Try out different homemade recipes keeping these foods as basic ingredients.