Category: Nutrition

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3 fruits that build muscle

There are 3 fruits that build muscle. The enzymes in these fruits help your body to better absorb protein.

In general, digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down fat, protein and carbohydrate molecules into smaller molecules, to obtain the nutrients we need.

Protein is an essential nutrient for the body, which helps us maintain healthy and strong muscles. Also to create new muscle tissue, improve tone and increase muscle volume.

Although we follow a diet rich in protein, our body does not always take advantage of them, so to optimize protein assimilation, we can help ourselves with certain foods.

The three fruits that we will see below, especially help to break down protein molecules.

Papaya.

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain. Papain transforms proteins into amino acids more quickly, helping us to take full advantage of them. Therefore, this enzyme will accelerate digestion and increase the use of these nutrients. Papain has been used for thousands of years as a meat tenderizer due to its ability to break down protein.

In addition, scientists from Vienna have proven that papain helps relieve constipation and gas caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Make sure you eat your raw, ripe papayas as exposure to heat can destroy these enzymes.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains bromelain, another enzyme that promotes protein assimilation. Eating pineapples may reduce the time it takes to recover from exercise.
This is largely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain.

Strenuous exercise can also damage muscle tissue and cause surrounding inflammation. Affected muscles cannot produce as much force and are sore for up to three days.
Bromelain has been demonstrated to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation, enhancing recovery.

Kiwi

The kiwi contains high doses of actidine, which contributes to a better assimilation of proteins. This fruit is usually recommended to facilitate digestion because this fruit helps us reduce gas and relieves constipation by regulating gastrointestinal function.

Scientists found that actinidin, a unique compound in kiwis, helps the body break down proteins in red meat, diary and fish. “The observed enhancement of gastric protein digestion after eating kiwi fruit may increase the rate at which protein is absorbed in the small intestine, ultimately affecting the overall protein utilization in the human body,” lead author Dr. Lovedeep Kaur from Massey University in New Zealand

The general recommendation for fruit and vegetable intake is at least 400 grams per day, or five servings of 80 grams.
 
Maybe it’s time that you incorporate any of these 3 fruits that build muscle into your diet because if you help your body in assimilating the nutrients it needs, you will get an optimal benefit from your diet obtaining everything your body needs.
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How to avoid emotional eating

How to avoid emotional eating

You just finished your lunch and you’re already thinking about what you’ll have for dinner? Do you feel that in front of any plate of food, your life is on autopilot? Do you hardly remember any time when your desire is not simply to chew?

So, you need to accept that you eat emotionally. And although at this moment it seems that there is no way out, that you have no escape, I come to tell you the opposite.

  • To stop eating emotionally, you must change your attitude and mentality. You should change limiting thoughts, such as “I can’t eat much” for thoughts that take away frustration, like “I can eat much better.”
  • In addition, you should eat healthy foods more frequently. Don´t limit yourself to just three times a day! About this, I’ll talk to you in a second.
  • Include any physical activity routine, which not only allows you to connect with the body you want, but with the emotions that make you happy.

You will tell me, “David, it is very easy to say, but doing so is something else.” And you are right. Beating a compulsion is not easy, there will be difficult times, but the first step is to make the decision to do it from a completely healthy place.

Let me tell you Sofia´s story, whom I met through an email she sent me. An email that touched me to the last fiber of my being.

In that email, written with an open heart, Sofia told me about her despair, because she couldn’t stop eating. Her life had been transformed into endless binge eating, which didn’t even satisfy her.

The bingeing did not appear out of nowhere. In a year, she had moved from her beloved Sevilla to Paris, had broken up with her boyfriend and had changed jobs.

All these situations were leading her, without noticing, to a state of terrible anxiety, and she felt more out of control every day. Eating had become unconscious. When she was overeating, she swore that she would not do it again, and the next minute, she was already putting in her mouth one more bite.

And most of the time, they weren’t even foods that gratified her, she almost didn’t enjoy the flavors. At some point, when she felt that food was dominating her life, and she asked for help.

The first request for help, was addressed to a psychologist, and the second S.O.S, was the email she sent me.

She wanted my help to fix the nutritional issue, but also, she wanted someone to inspire her to find through physical activity, a way to control her anxiety.

Because, after all, emotional eating is related to anxiety. In Sofia’s words, she “ate to numb emotions.”

What if instead of numbing emotions, you let them flow through a physical activity that gratifies you? That was what we did with Sofia.

We worked with clear mottos to overcome mental blocks, agreed on a nutritional plan, where there were more “allowed” foods than “forbidden” ones, and established training routines, where she could release her tensions and negative thoughts.

Time heals everything, but you must help it. As did Sofia, who today has a healthy relationship with food, her body, and her surroundings.

Therefore, if you feel that you eat because of anxiety rather than hunger, do not move from there, because I will explain:

  • Differences between emotional hunger and physical hunger.
  • How to identify what generates emotional eating habits.
  • Some ways to leave behind the compulsion for food.

How to differentiate emotional hunger from physical hunger

Before you can free yourself from the emotional eating cycle, you must learn to distinguish between emotional and physical hunger. This can be more complicated than it seems, especially if you regularly use food to deal with your feelings.

Emotional hunger can be powerful, but there are some clues that can help you.

  • Emotional hunger appears suddenly. It hits you in an second and you feel overwhelmed. Physical hunger, on the other hand, occurs more gradually. The need to eat is not so serious and doesn´t require instant satisfaction, unless you have not eaten for a long time.
  • Emotional hunger leads you to eat certain types of food. When you are physically hungry, almost everything sounds good, including healthy things like vegetables. But emotional hunger craves junk food. You feel you “need” chocolate or pizza, and nothing else will work.
  • Emotional hunger often leads to meaningless eating. Before you know it, you’ve eaten a whole bag of chips without really paying attention or enjoying it at all. When you eat in response to physical hunger, you are generally more aware of what you are doing.
  • Emotional hunger is not satisfied once you are full. You still want more, and more. When you feel physical hunger, you feel satisfied when you have a full stomach.
  • Emotional hunger is not found in the stomach. Instead of a stomach that growls, you feel hunger as a desire that cannot get out of your head. You are focused on specific textures, flavors and smells.
  • Emotional hunger often leads to regret, guilt, or shame. When you eat to satisfy physical hunger, you are unlikely to feel guilty or ashamed because you are simply giving your body what it needs. If you feel guilty after eating, it is because deep down you know that you are not eating for nutritional reasons.

Now that we can differentiate physical hunger from emotional hunger, let’s look at the triggers that can lead to it.

Reasons why we eat emotionally, almost without realizing it

The first step to stop eating compulsively is to identify the reasons that lead us to do so. What situations or feelings trigger your desire to eat?

Stress: Have you noticed how stress makes you hungry? It is not only in your mind. When stress is chronic, as often happens in our chaotic and accelerated world, your body produces high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Cortisol triggers cravings for salty, sweet and fried foods, foods that give you an explosion of energy and pleasure. The less you control stress, the more likely you are to rely on food to get that emotional relief you are looking for.

Eating can be a way to temporarily silence or calm down, negative emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, anxiety, loneliness, resentment, and shame. While you get numb with food, you feel that you can take away those feelings that overwhelm you. But, at the end of the day, you will face the inevitable: awkward emotions are still there.

Boredom or emptiness feelings: Have you ever eaten simply to do something, relieve boredom, or as a way to fill a void in your life? You feel dissatisfied and empty, and food is a way to occupy your time.

Childhood habits: think about your childhood. Did your parents reward your good behavior with ice cream, did they take you to eat pizza when you got good grades, did they give you candy when you felt sad?

If you are depressed or alone, call someone who makes you feel better, play with your dog or cat, or go for a walk in the park.

If you are anxious, spend your energy dancing your favorite song, squeezing an anti stress ball or taking a quick walk.

If you’re exhausted, have a cup of hot tea, take a hot bath and light some scented candles.

If you’re bored, read a good book, watch your favorite series on Netflix, or do an activity you enjoy.

And above all, do not miss the tips I offer below.

Tips to stop eating... emotionally!

Now that we know how to differentiate physiological hunger from emotional hunger, and that we can even know what originates it, it is also important to have a clear concept: when there is emotional hunger it is NOT about stopping eating, it is about eating what is right and the right amount of it.

But make no mistake, diets that restrict carbohydrates too much usually lead to failure and overeating foods that we shouldn’t touch.

Why does this happen? The reason is our response to insulin. Since low carbohydrate intake causes our blood sugar to drop significantly, our brain creates a desire to eat in order to stabilize blood sugar levels and replenish glycogen stores.

This, linked to the emotional tensions of our daily lives, such as stress, sadness, anger, worry, or even sleep, will make inevitable to fall into temptation.

So there are several important lessons to learn here:

1.- Include carbohydrates in your diet to keep blood sugar levels controlled.

2.- Modify your beliefs to improve your emotions, everything has a solution!

3.- Make five or six small meals a day.

More than three hours between meals decreases your blood sugar levels, and you´ll need sugars or refined foods to create high insulin spikes. But this will only create an unnecessary addiction for this type of food.

That is why it is important to make 5 or 6 meals a day of small portions and that your main meals include unprocessed carbohydrates and high in fiber: oatmeal, brown rice, legumes, fruits. Served along with vegetables and proteins, will generate greater satiety.

4.- Add protein into your diet.

If proteins are present in your main meal, for example, salmon, turkey breast, chicken breast, eggs, quinoa, veal and lentils, you will have your appetite controlled. Your need to eat is going to adapt quietly to 3 or 4 hours intervals without making you feel uncomfortable.

5.- Make physical exercise a priority in your life.

Physical activity works wonders on your mood and energy levels, and is also a powerful stress reducer.

If you don’t have enough will, you can always count on an online personal trainer.

6.- Try to sleep 8 hours every night.

When you don’t sleep as much as you need, your body craves sugary foods that give you a quick energy boost. Getting enough rest will help control your appetite and reduce cravings.

7.- Take some time to relax.

Give yourself permission to take at least 30 minutes every day to relax. This is your time to take a break from your responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

8.- Connect with others.

Do not underestimate the importance of relationships with your friends and social activities. Spending time with positive people that improve your mood will help protect you from the negative effects of stress.

You don’t always have to behave!

Everything in life is a balance, but definitely 85% of your behaviors are the ones that will have the most impact on you.

If 85% of your routine is healthy, that remaining 15% will not harm you so much. Sometimes it is necessary to get out of the routine a bit and then come back stronger!

As the Roman poet Horacio said: “Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero”, which if you do not understand Latin means, “take advantage of the day, do not trust tomorrow.”

It’s time to leave the limiting thoughts behind! If you need help to organize your nutritional plan and your training routine, just let me know.

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What Can We Learn from the Nutrition Requirements of Basketball Players

Basketball Nutrition

Playing basketball is an effective way to burn calories, and consequently, burn fat. As explained before in ‘How Effective Is Basketball at Burning Fat?’, playing the sport is “one of the most vigorously active sports in which you can participate; therefore, it is “a super way to burn away unwanted pounds.” Playing basketball is physically draining and that is why players have to keep certain nutrition requirements so they can compete at a high level.

Basketball players nutritional requirements

In this regard, common knowledge suggests that basketball players must have large stores of carbohydrates from healthy food, like whole grains, fruit and vegetables. The paper ‘Carbohydrate Requirements of Elite Athletes’ underscores the importance of carbohydrate intake, stating that a “key factor in coping with the heavy demands of exercise faced by elite athletes seems to be carbohydrate intake.” In other words, carbohydrate intake affects performance. Players who have consumed enough carbohydrates will have enough energy to play at a high level, while players with insufficient carbohydrate intake will generally tire easily, as they will have very little energy once their carbohydrate stores are depleted.

Fat is needed too, but in much smaller amounts. It is utilised during the game’s less intense moments, when players stop play after a whistle or when they jog during the quiet moments of a game. What happens is that the fat is used in the production of aerobic energy, which is mostly to facilitate recovery. This process reduces fatigue, thereby allowing players to go full-tilt once more when the intensity picks up. 

Protein is another important nutrient that basketball players need. The Association of UK Dietitians explains that protein “is required for building and repairing muscles and plays an important role in how the body responds to exercise.” In other words, protein is a perquisite for both muscle building and recovery. As any basketball player knows, building muscle is key due to the physicality of the game. Recovery, on the other hand, helps players train and play frequently across a short space of time. 

Two famous examples

Given these nutritional requirements, it’s no surprise that elite basketball players take their nutrition — and by extension, their diet — seriously. Take, for instance, the Gasol Brothers, arguably Spain’s best and most popular exports to the National Basketball Association. Pau and Marc are very particular with what they eat, cognizant of the fact that they have specific nutritional needs. Marc is very hands-on with what he eats, especially with his history of being overweight. The younger Gasol tried various diets, and his decision paid off; he has slimmed down considerably, and is now widely regarded as one of the best big men in the league. 

Another player known for being notoriously particular when it comes to his diet is LeBron James, a nemesis of the Gasols in international competition. LeBron James earns £61.5 million (€7.17m) a year and the four-time MVP is the second biggest earning sports star in the world. His talent is obviously undeniable, but his devotion to fitness and nutrition certainly helps his cause. Curiously, James went with a drastic no-carb diet prior to the 2014–2015 season. That diet, admittedly, is contrary to the carbs-as-fuel point raised earlier, however, James, like the Gasols, is an elite-level athlete. That means his nutritional requirements are a bit different from the requirements of other basketball players. Not to mention, athletes like James and the Gasols know how to utilise and optimise their energy systems so that they are fuelled both aerobically and anaerobically. 

Conclusion

Needless to say, nutrition is key to great on-court performance. Conventional thinking, would suggest plenty of carbohydrates, a good deal of protein, and some fat. Then again, you should always assess your individual nutritional needs and find out what best works for you.

Article written by Vanya Banks for chape.fitness

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Superfoods List – Boost Your Inner health and Outer Beauty

superfoods list

Whether you are looking for ways to keep your skin glowing or you want to maintain your health, eating the right food is the best option you can take. The food that you eat determines your overall health. If you are healthy and your whole system is functioning well, it will be reflected through the condition of your skin. This is why you have to choose the foods that are beneficial to your body.

To help you start a healthy diet, here is a list of superfoods you should have in your table:

Avocado

An avocado is tagged as a superfood because of the different benefits that it can provide to the body. It contains vitamins A, B complex and vitamin E. Aside from that, you will also get fibre, magnesium, lecithin, potassium and sterolin from this food. With its amazing taste and its anti-inflammatory features, you will certainly get a well nourished skin. And not only that, avocado also contains omega 3 fatty acids that are good for the heart. So hurry up and add avocado to your meal now.

Berries

If you are looking for the best source of anti-oxidants, go for berries. Blueberries, in particular, are rich in anthocyanin, flavonoids and resveratrol. Aside from its anti-aging properties, it also have regenerative properties that is good for the whole body. If you are looking for the best natural food, you can consume a handful of berries and you will certainly feel satisfied with what you have eaten.

superfoods list

Broccoli

Broccoli is a green superfood  that is rich in vitamins C and K. It is also an excellent source of folic acid and potassium. It is known as one of the best superfood because of its properties that can help build collagen and is very helpful in forming the bones and the body tissue. One of the best things that broccoli can do to your body is to protect it from the damaging effects of free radicals that cannot be avoided at times.

Beetroot

The best thing about beetroot is its properties that can help bring and recover oxygen to your muscles. It is also a great natural food for the elimination of toxins from the liver and blood. So, if you are looking for the best way to detoxify, you can just consider making beetroot juice. Aside from those that were already mentioned, beetroot helps boost strength, strengthen digestion and it also lowers blood pressure. This is great for people who want to lose weight.

Dark Chocolate

 Eating a small portion of dark chocolate daily can be beneficial to you. This is a fact that is backed up by scientific evidences. Dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidant and it can help you improve blood flow. Aside from that, it can also protect you from the risk of heart disease. So, instead of eating junk food and stuffing yourself with unhealthy food during your snack time, why don’t you just get some dark chocolates.

Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit is low in cholesterol and trans fat. It is high in fiber and it is healthy for the heart. With its high potassium and vitamin C content, you can be sure that you will get the best benefits for your body, heart and skin.

Fish (the oily variety)

Fish is known as one of the healthiest food because of the different nutrients that it contains. With its protein, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D content, you will surely get incredible benefits for your body and brain.

Green Tea

Instead of having unhealthy beverages, you should go for green tea. This is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that have incredible benefits to your system. Aside from enhancing your brain function, it can also help in lowering the risk of cancer. Most importantly, it is a great beverage for people who want to lose weight.

Nuts and Seeds

Peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios and walnuts are just few of the nuts and seeds that are powerful enough to provide the needed vitamins and minerals for the body. Walnuts are known to be effective in reducing the risk of heart related diseases.

Oats

This is one of the incredibly nutritious foods that you can eat with fruits. It contains soluble fiber and antioxidants. It helps in controlling blood sugar and it is recommended for people who want to lose weight.

Quinoa

If you are the type of person who is gluten intolerant, quinoa is a great food for you. Aside from its high protein property, you can also be sure to get the amount of amino acids you need. Quinoa is higher in fiber compared to other grains.

Spinach and kale

Kale contains nutrients that can help you deal with different health problems. Its fiber, calcium and antioxidant content can help improve your body. Spinach on the other hand is one of the most nutritious green that you should add to your regular diet.

If you want to achieve holistic health, you should consider looking at the benefits of the food that you are eating.

Josh

Josh

Josh is a writer who loves to write articles on health & fitness. He is always involved in fitness. He believes health is wealth and to stay healthy, and for that, we need to have green superfoods along with detox drinks!

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Healthy Grocery List

healthy shopping list

Today I bring you a healthy grocery list that you can carry at all times on your phone and so not forget any ingredient you need.

You can also share the note with the other members of the family so that anyone can stop by the store and buy what is missing to prepare the menu of the day.

We’ve already talked about how you can easily manage your recipes with Evernote in a previous post, and I think this list will be useful and a good starting point to organize and build your grocery list.

Having a well-planned grocery list gets you in and out of the store quickly and helps you stick to your healthy eating plan. Time to stop tossing bad food and money in the trash! This grocery list includes everything your family needs to eat healthy and delicious for one week.

The healthy grocery list includes: Produce, proteins, grains, milk & dairy, legumes, beverages, and pantry staples. 

The list is extensive but, no worries,  you can edit any section to be something else. Modify as works best for you: 

  • Some people like to arrange the categories in their list around the order in which foods are found in the store.
  • Include categories for non-food items that you purchase at the grocery store such as health and beauty aids and household supplies.
  • “Play” with your master list for at least a month to find what works best for you.

Remember that time spent developing a list is usually less than time spent returning to the store for a forgotten item. Having a list may also contribute to your overall meal quality.

I have added a checkbox next to each product, so all you have to do is check or uncheck the box to verify if you have it in the pantry or you need to buy it.

You will never have to write or reprint again the grocery list, and then leave it forgotten at home. This list will always be on your phone, updated and synchronized with the other members of the family.

Just click on the image below to get the note and make your life much simpler.

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