Health

You are What You Eat

2019-05-08 16:44:23.0

The food we eat plays an important role in how we look and feel. Regular exercise is important but according to research what we eat and how many has the largest impact on our fitness. People nowadays tend to focus on healthy food intake as a primary fitness goal. When healthy eating habits become a lifestyle, we are healthier and happier. Eating right allows us to reduce lose a few pounds, reduce body fat and more importantly reduce our risk of illness.

Healthy food intake is the most important part of our fitness program. Medical doctors stress on lifestyle change of our eating habits. Not just the fad diets like ketogenic, Cohen, Intermittent fasting etc. You should always have a balanced diet and not deprive yourself of certain food types. You must always guard your food intake and exercise combination. In order to lose 1 pound you need to burn 3500 calories. So even if you ran a marathon, you will not burn 3500 calories. So the best solution is watch what you eat and keep an exercise regime that you are able to do on a regular basis.

Eat Superfoods

Superfoods are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Antioxidants are shown to reduce inflammation in our body helping us fight disease and illness. Inflammation is said to be the leading cause of many diseases. Powerful antioxidants in leafy greens and vegetables, for example, help detoxify the body removing harmful chemicals.

Some superfoods contain compounds that increase our metabolism for more efficient fat burning. Red peppers contain a molecule called capsaicin shown to enhance the rate we burn body fat.

The following foods are a rich source of quercetin: 

• Apples
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Berries Increase Metabolism Naturally

Eating foods that stimulate and enhance the fat burning process will help us reduce fat more effectively. Adding metabolism boosting foods will be a great supplement to your existing workout and nutrition program.

The following foods are shown to increase our metabolism:

a. Hot peppers (active component capsaicin) b. Green tea (active component caffeine)
c. Black coffee (active component caffeine)
d. Cold water (500 ml of water daily increased metabolic rate by 30%)
e. Whole grains (aiding component fiber and iron)
f. Yogurt (aiding component calcium and probiotics)
g. Apples (aiding component fiber)
h. Nuts and seeds (aiding component essential fatty acids)
i. Fatty fish (aiding component Omega-3 fatty acids)

Fitness Foods

The term fitness food is interchangeable with superfoods. You need to incorporate fitness foods in your diet.

The following is a favored list of superfoods among fitness enthusiasts:

a. Oats (high in fiber, improves digestion/increases metabolism)
b. Eggs (protein source, muscle building)
c. Greens (antioxidants, reduces inflammation)
d. Apples (antioxidants, reduces inflammation/increases metabolism)
e. Lean meats/fish (amino acids, protein source, muscle building)

Is Coffee Healthy or Not?

Coffee contains antioxidants but also caffeine. Caffeine is a natural stimulant shown to increase our metabolic rate. Drinking black coffee 30 minutes prior to exercise is said to have the best ergogenic results. It's shown to improve our endurance and enable us to exercise longer.

Coffee is also shown to reduce exercise-induced muscle pain.

Coffee also contains powerful antioxidants shown to reduce chronic disease and illness. Studies have shown it helps individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease and to reduce the incidence of gallstones.

Change your eating habits. And what better way to start than eating SUPERFOODS. You can choose from the following to improve health and fitness:

a. Oats (high in fiber, improved digestion, heart health)
b. Blueberries (antioxidants, reduces inflammation, cancer-fighting)
c. Apples (antioxidants, reduces inflammation, weight loss)
d. Green tea (antioxidants, increases metabolism, weight loss)
e. Flaxseed (essential fatty acids, increases metabolism, reduces inflammation)
f. Broccoli (antioxidants, cancer-fighting, detox)
g. Yogurt (calcium, probiotic, improved digestion, bone health)
h. Olive oil (monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs)/heart health)
i. Beans (high in fiber, antioxidants, improved brain function)
j. Cinnamon (antioxidants, detox, healing spice)