Tag: Diet

How A Proper Nutrition Plan Maximizes Your Gym Workouts
Articles, Diet and Nutrition, Guest Articles

How A Proper Nutrition Plan Maximizes Your Gym Workouts

Venturing into a fitness journey paves the way to a healthy lifestyle, the muscular physique you have been dreaming of, and enhanced physical performance.

Many people wonder if a successful fitness journey is just about hitting the gym for 2-3 hours a day, lifting heavy weights and breaking heavy sweat.

But the reality is far from it.

The truth is you need to combine your gym workouts with an effective nutrition plan to nail your fitness journey.

So let’s talk about how pairing an effective nutrition plan with a gym workout can help you reach your goals!

Correlation between Muscle Building and Diet Plan

Combining healthy nutrition with your workouts is the best way to get the most out of your efforts at the gym.

Nutrition refers to providing the body with the necessary nutrients to help it perform optimally. This includes different types of nutrients that mainly include the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to fuel your body to perform your gym workouts at your best.

By hitting the gym, you are working towards enhanced muscle strength, an active lifestyle and a better physique. And, without assuming an effective diet plan, you risk overall physical well-being, let alone transforming a lean physique into an attractive silhouette (of your body). Even if you have a membership to a well-equipped gym in Vaughan, without a proper nutrition plan, your results will be minimal.

Proper nutrition improves your gym workouts, as it supplies our body with the necessary energy required to exercise with greater intensity without exhausting ourselves too early.

Types of Workout Nutrition

Logically, you consume a diet in two phases when it comes to gym workouts; pre-workout nutrition and post-workout nutrition.

Pre-Workout Nutrition

As its name suggests, pre-workout nutrition refers to consuming the right nutrients before hitting the gym. It plays a vital role in maintaining the right energy levels and enhancing performance during workouts. A perfect pre-workout diet is not about eating just anything. Rather, it is carefully choosing food made of ingredients that support your body during the upcoming workout. 

Impact of Consuming the Right Nutrients Before Exercise

Selecting the right pre-workout routine impacts your energy levels positively during the exercise. You are advised to consume a balanced mix of macro-nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fat that supply your body with the energy needed to perform at its best.

Carbohydrates serve as the primary source to fuel your muscles during exercise, whereas proteins are responsible for repairing and building muscle tissues. 

On top of that, ensuring you have an adequate intake of these nutrients helps to prevent fatigue and maintain decent energy levels throughout the whole session.

Recommended Diet and Timing for Optimal Pre-workout Nutrition

Carbo-hydrates

Opt for foods enriched with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. These foods provide a steady release of energy during the workout.

Proteins

Go for lean protein resources like chicken, turkey, and Fish or plant-based options like legumes.

Fats

Incorporate healthier fats from sources like avocados, nuts, and seeds.

As far as timing is concerned, it is recommended to consume a pre-workout meal 1-2 hours before entering the gym.

Post-Workout Nutrition

Did you hit the gym, do an intensive workout, and consider it enough for muscle growth? Wrong! Now, the real importance of an excellent diet kicks in. It is no other than post-workout nutrition. 

Post-workout nutrition plays a vital role in repairing your body muscles and enhancing muscle growth.

The importance of post-workout nutrition cannot be overstated: all your hard work is of no avail if you are consuming random snacks, overlooking the crucial impact of a properly calculated diet.

Impact of Consuming the Right Nutrients after Exercise

Intense workouts trigger your body for growth, but without proper nutrients, your body won’t have what it needs to do so. That is why it is so important to refuel and repair your muscles with quality carbohydrates and protein within 2 hours after your workout is complete.

Recommended Meals for Post-workout Nutrition

Your body needs a decent amount of proteins and carbohydrates to build muscle after a hard workout.

Here are a few post-workout options you should consider trying:

  1. Eggs and Wholegrain toast
  2. Dried Fruits and Nuts
  3. Chocolate Milk 
  4. Meat or Fish and Rice

Conclusion

Pairing a balanced diet plan with a proper workout is an essential part of a long fitness journey. A wholesome diet that maintains a decent balance between macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients is the key to a successful and result-driven gym workout. 

Besides that, make sure to avoid consuming excess alcohol and tobacco and getting inadequate amounts of sleep, as they can adversely affect your efforts at a healthier lifestyle.

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Powerlifting Team Deadlift - Nutrition Basics for New Gym Goers
Articles, Diet and Nutrition

Nutrition Basics for New Gym Members

Stepping into the world of fitness, nutrition and weight loss can feel like embarking on a grand adventure—full of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps apprehension. However, being a new gym member can be a tough place to find yourself if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. It can be a challenge, even if you do!

Until January, gym membership in the US had risen, but that has ground to a halt somewhat. There could be many factors for this drop, including confusion about what is and is not good for you. There’s so much information, supplements, nutrition, and eating guides; it’s hard to see the woods through the trees. The amount of weight loss and gym information is quite scary and that could put you off from becoming a gym regular. Or maybe you are a gym regular and find it all a little confusing.

As you lace up your sneakers and prepare to lose weight and get in shape, we’re going to help break down some of the information you need about nutrition. After all, what you eat plays a pivotal role in shaping your physique, fueling your workouts, and maximizing your gains. Pushing weights and pumping iron is only one side of the equation, and with the right information, you can leverage nutrition to see those significant gains.

So, grab a protein shake and join us as we dive into the fundamentals of nutrition for new gym members.

Protein

When it comes to nutrition, it’s important to understand that protein reigns supreme. Known as the building blocks of muscle, protein is essential for repairing and rebuilding the tissues broken down during an intense gym session. But how much protein do you actually need?

The general recommendation for protein intake ranges from 0.8 to 1 gram per pound of body weight per day. However, this can vary depending on several factors: age, gender, gym activity level, and even your end fitness goals. Aiming for the higher end of this protein range may be beneficial for those looking to pack on extra muscle.

Those looking to take on protein should ensure their diet is rich in foods such as chicken, turkey, and fish, which are excellent for gym goers as they provide high-quality protein with minimal fat. Plant-based sources such as tofu, tempeh, lentils, and beans are also optional choices for those following a vegan diet.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates often get a bad rap in the fitness world, but to dispel the myth, they’re a vital source of energy. This is especially the case when it comes to high-intensity exercise. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, provide a steady supply of energy to fuel your workouts and support recovery.

It can be hugely beneficial to time your carb intake with your planned workout. Consuming a meal (or even just a snack) containing carbohydrates and a small amount of protein immediately before your workout can help fuel your training session and improve performance. Also, taking onboard carbohydrates and protein after your workout can help replenish glycogen stores and give the muscle repair process a head start.

Fats

Like Carbs, fats have a bad reputation with nutritionists, but they are also essential as part of your gym regime. Fats are an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in overall health and fitness; healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish, are particularly beneficial for gym goers.

Not only do healthy fats support hormone production and brain function, but they also help keep you feeling full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to your nutrition plan. During any gym regime, motivation for weight loss is a big factor in ongoing success. The gym offers a community of like-minded people to help you along your journey, but healthy fats can help keep you motivated in terms of your nutritional needs as well.

Hydration

It’s such a basic bit of advice that your average gym bro will already know it, but it’s worth repeating; staying hydrated is absolutely essential for gym goers. Even mild dehydration can negatively impact performance and recovery. Aim to drink at least 0.7 ounces of water per pound of bodyweight per day, adjusting based on activity level, climate, and sweat rate. Like healthy fats, drinking water can also help you feel fuller for longer, so you’re less likely to fall off the good nutrition weight loss wagon.

When you’re at the gym, it’s important to stay hydrated by sipping water regularly throughout your session, whatever machine you’re on. If you’re engaging in prolonged or intense exercise, you may also need to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat by consuming a sports drink or electrolyte-rich foods such as bananas or coconut water.

Supplements

While whole foods should always form the foundation of your diet, supplements can serve as valuable tools to fill in any nutritional gaps and support your fitness goals. This is really second-level advice for those who have already nailed down their nutrition, lost weight, and now want to sculpt and put on muscle.

Whey protein powder is popular for gym goers looking to increase their protein intake and support muscle recovery. Creatine is another supplement that has been extensively researched and shown to improve strength, power, and muscle mass.

Fish oil supplements are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved heart health. And let’s not forget that vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health, immune function, and muscle strength.

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3 Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
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3 Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting (IF) is everywhere at the moment. You will have heard a health expert talking about it or an influencer raving about its benefits. Intermittent fasting refers to a diet that revolves around consuming food within a specific timeframe each day. Outside of this specific timeframe, the individual must fast (not consume any food or high-calorie drinks), but can consume water.

Most people choose a 16/8 split, where they fast for 16 hours and eat all of their daily calories within an eight hour period. However, you can choose any fasting/eating split you like, dependant upon your personal preferences and schedule.

It’s important to note that Intermittent Fasting works amazingly for some people, but not for everybody. Even if your parent, spouse, sibling, or best friend has seen incredible health benefits from adopting an IF diet, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will have the same positive experience.

That being said, there are some general benefits of IF that many people experience when they try this popular diet out for themselves. If you’re keen on starting intermittent fasting, click here for a quick start guide.

Let’s discuss the potential benefits of intermittent fasting.

Weight Loss

Due to having a shorter eating window, many people find that they consume fewer calories each day when following an Intermittent Fasting diet. Although calorie restriction isn’t a necessary component of intermittent fasting, you might find that you naturally eat less because you feel fuller during your eating window.

Improved Metabolic Health

Research has shown a positive link between intermittent fasting and a healthy metabolism. IF can improve insulin sensitivity, enabling easier regulation of your blood glucose levels and potentially lowering your risk of developing type two diabetes.

Intermittent Fasting may also lead to positive changes in your blood cholesterol levels. More specifically, it can lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (known as ‘bad’ cholesterol) and increase the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the ‘good’ cholesterol). A better blood lipid profile is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Improved Cell Autophagy Mechanisms and Better Brain Health

Cell autophagy refers to the process in which the body breaks down damaged cells so it can reuse them. It’s technically a form of programmed cell death but differs from apoptosis or necrosis.

It occurs when a cell is damaged beyond repair and it’s a vital biochemical process for maintaining internal health. Autophagy can help to slow down the acceleration of ageing and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including many types of cancers.

Autophagy is thought to be particularly beneficial for protecting the brain against neurodegenerative diseases. However, more evidence and research are required to come to a definite conclusion regarding this link.

Intermittent Fasting can, however, contribute to better brain health by increasing the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), known as ‘miracle grow’ for neurons. BDNF contributes to improve cognitive function, maintenance of nerve cells, and a lower risk of brain-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusion

The research currently available on Intermittent Fasting clearly displays its potential health benefits. Many people find that following this diet improves their health and mental clarity and that eating within a smaller window of time each day works perfectly with their busy schedules.

However, it’s important to note that everybody’s physiology and personal preferences are unique. Some people may respond well to intermittent fasting, whilst it might be ineffective or even harmful to others. Many people find that IF messes up their hormones, changes their mood, or simply doesn’t work well with their schedules.

Before you commit to a new diet or make any drastic changes to your existing food intake, it’s best to consult a registered dietitian. Major dietary changes can disrupt your body’s metabolism, biochemistry, and fluid balance, which can be dangerous for your health.

A registered dietitian can offer expert guidance and monitor your health during your dietary changes to ensure you stay as safe and healthy as possible throughout. They can also help you with creating a detailed intermittent fasting eating plan that meets your nutritional needs.

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6 Benefits of Switching to a Ketogenic Diet
Articles, Diet and Nutrition, Guest Articles

6 Benefits of Switching to a Ketogenic Diet

In the past decades, we’ve seen a surge in major metabolic problems globally, leading to a rise in diabetes, liver problems, gut health issues, and mental health concerns. Obesity has become one of the most prevalent issues affecting 15-60% of the global population. Although medical advancements have led to the discovery of effective treatments, both healthcare professionals and dieticians have emphasized making significant lifestyle changes as a natural path to achieving optimal health outcomes. As a result, many diets have gained popularity over the years. Among these, low-carb-high-fat (LCHF) diets like the ketogenic or keto diet have received massive recognition in collectively addressing a range of health concerns.

The benefits of the keto diet are backed by scientific research. If you’re planning to switch from a carb-packed diet to a keto diet, you have a ton of compelling reasons to do so. Here are some significant advantages of adopting a ketogenic diet for good:

1. Improved Metabolic Health 

Insulin resistance is the number one cause of metabolic problems like diabetes. When the body fails to respond to insulin and absorb glucose from your blood, your blood sugar levels increase. In response to an increased sugar level, the pancreas starts to flush more insulin into your blood, leading to prediabetes.

The ketogenic diet has the potential to improve various metabolic markers, including insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, and lipid profiles. However, more research and population-based studies are needed to identify the effect of keto diet in diverse populations. This is why many healthcare population management professionals are now critically evaluating the potential benefits of this diet on population groups with metabolic health issues. 

Keto diet typically reduces carbohydrate intake to as low as 50-20g or 5% of daily calorie intake. When your blood has lower levels of sugar molecules, it limits insulin production. As a result, your body starts a process known as ketosis, which essentially uses ketones produced by your liver to break down fats into energy. This way, the keto diet may help individuals with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and reduce their reliance on medications. 

2. Keto Diet Promotes Weight Loss 

One of the biggest reasons why the keto diet has gained traction is its ability to shed off those extra pounds and melt away even the most stubborn fat deposits in the body. The body’s natural energy source is glucose, which is obtained by breaking down carbohydrate molecules. However, the issue with this system is that the body uses energy from food intake instead of burning stored fat. Moreover, when we consume more carbs, the body stores the excess in the form of fat, which contributes to weight gain and fat deposits in the body. 

A keto diet essentially works by shifting this energy-generation system to ketosis, wherein the body produces energy using fat molecules. Ketones in your body metabolize fat cells, convert them into energy, and produce water as waste, which is subsequently excreted through the kidneys. This process eventually promotes weight loss and helps you maintain a leaner and healthier body. The good news is that you can lose layers of fat even while you sleep. If you want to lose weight faster, consider limiting your daily calorie intake to 1200-1500 Kcal and adopting intermittent fasting.

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3. Reduced Hunger Pangs

Low-carb-high-fat diets like keto work by increasing fat intake to nearly 70% of your daily calorie intake. Since fats take longer to digest, you feel satiated for a longer time. This eventually translates into decreased appetite and reduced hunger pangs. Studies have also backed the claim that the keto diet suppresses appetite and leads to lower calorie intake, all while boosting your metabolism.  If you frequently struggle with increased hunger while following a diet plan, a keto diet is the ultimate solution to hunger pangs and long-term weight maintenance.

4. Enhanced Physical Performance and Endurance 

People who switch from a high-carb diet to a low-carb diet often feel weak and low in energy during the first couple of weeks. However, once their bodies shift to ketosis and adjust to the new diet, they feel more energetic than before and notice improved physical performance. This is because the traditional energy-generation system relies on continuous intake of glucose and may affect your performance during high-intensity workouts for longer durations. 

However, ketones continuously use fat cells as their source of energy and thus don’t run out of energy easily. This leads to increased endurance and better performance during prolonged workout sessions, athletic events, and laborsome tasks. 

Moreover, when you follow the keto diet for the long term, a steady protein intake results in increased muscle-bone density and healthier muscle cells, which helps you feel stronger and fit. The ketogenic diet also reduces lactic acid production during exercise, which potentially delays muscle fatigue and improves recovery.

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5. Maintain Optimum Levels of Good Cholesterol

A high fat intake in the ketogenic diet doesn’t mean you can consume any type of fats. Rather, the keto diet emphasizes consuming saturated and monounsaturated fats like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, lard, butter, avocado oil, mustard oil, etc. These fats are high in antioxidants and may help in maintaining optimum levels of good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These changes in your lipid profile may eventually lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and help you maintain a healthy heart. 

6. Improved Cognitive Function and Better Focus

The Keto diet was first introduced in the 1920s for epileptic people due to its benefits for brain health. Further studies on the ketogenic diet and ketosis revealed that a low-carb diet with high saturated fat intake may have cognitive benefits. While its benefits for epilepsy are widely known, studies have also demonstrated its benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. 

Besides neurological disorders, a keto diet can improve brain function and focus in individuals of all ages. People who follow a keto diet report better focus and increased mental clarity. This is because the diet produces ketones, which can provide consistent energy to the brain. A keto diet may also help to reduce inflammation and improve mood, which can result in improved mental clarity and decreased brain fog.

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Final Thoughts

The ketogenic diet has numerous advantages for both physical and mental health. However, like any other diet, keto has its distinctive side effects, especially for those who follow it for a longer period. Before you switch to the keto diet, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider and dietician, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.

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Recommended Diets - To Diet or Not To Diet
Articles, Diet and Nutrition, Guest Articles

To Diet or Not to Diet? Recommended Diets and What You Should Know

No sooner do you decide on a more hands-on approach to your fitness and health than wellness gurus and sites present you with a billion options. And whether you are out for weight loss, immunity boost, or gut health, diets are among the most recommended solutions. 

But all that glitters isn’t necessarily the diet you need. Some diet plans will help you; others will ensure you need help immediately or in the long run–at least if done wrong.

We want to help preemptively by giving you the scoop on some recommended diets. We’ll discuss the positives and negatives to consider; then, we’ll offer some guidelines for choosing a diet plan. And so, without further ado, let’s talk diets.

Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet is often recommended as a starting ground for people who want to lose weight. The idea is to stay away from overly processed foods rich in artificial ingredients and additives. 

Instead, you focus on fruits, meat, poultry, fish, poultry, etc., foods that would have been available to our Paleolithic ancestors. Grains, legumes, extra sugar, dairy, etc., are all dietary sins if you are on paleo.

Pros and Cons

On the one hand, this diet plan is one of the best options for starting weight loss and increasing sugar and lipid profiles in the short run. 

On the other hand, the absence of legumes, grains, and dairy can leave you low on carbs, as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns. As such, if you already have a low-carb problem, or you have kidney damage or type 1 diabetes, you should avoid paleo dieting.

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Warrior Diet

While technically a fasting plan, nutrition experts also think of the warrior diet as, well, a dietary plan. The plan is pretty simple: you go without food for 20 hours, after which you have four hours to gorge yourself—just like an ancient warrior. This plan is for intermittent fasters who want to step it up a notch and go for something more intensive. 

Pros and Cons

Now, the warrior diet is a bit complicated where benefits are concerned.  On the face of it, it can help with weight loss, which is why some fitness experts may recommend it. 

Still, it’s not directly supported by scientific evidence. Its credibility mostly derives from the fact that it is a kind of intermittent fasting, and those have been shown to be effective for not just weight loss but also sugar control, brain health, and inflammation. 

In any case, this diet plan is extreme for most people and may lead to extreme fatigue and even fainting. Don’t go Warrior except under the guidance of a nutrition expert.

DASH Diet

If you have issues with high blood pressure, experts generally recommend Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It’s both a single plan and a collection of different approaches that center around managing hypertension. 

The idea of it is a diet focused on lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meat. Red meat, high salt, and added sugars? These are all to be avoided. 

Pros and Cons

Apart from a scientifically verified role in preventing hypertension, there is also much anecdotal evidence that this plan can aid in weight loss and reduction of depressive symptoms. 

Furthermore, it’s also known to reduce the risk of colorectal and breast cancer. However, there are some significant risks to this diet plan. 

The reduction in salt intake has been linked to developing insulin resistance.  Furthermore, experts warn that the low sodium intake isn’t good for non-hypertensive people. 

MIND Diet

This is the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, quite a mouthful of a name for sure. Quite aptly for its acronym, this diet type focuses on improving brain health. 

As a MIND dieter, you are not required to follow a strict meal plan, only advised to eat up to 10 particular brain-friendly foods, most of them fruits. These include berries, beans, whole grains, fish, and poultry. 

Additionally, you need to eat nuts, as well as leafy and non-starchy vegetables. 

Pros and Cons

One of the main advantages of the MIND diet is its demonstrated role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. It is also known to slow the onset of Parkinson’s disease while also outperforming most plant-based diets at improving cognition. 

The MIND diet is almost too good to be true as it is not currently known to have any real downsides. Although, the fact that it does not involve any strict meal plans or guidelines leaves a bit too much wiggle room. And where there’s too much wiggle room, some dieters may wiggle too much and may experiment dangerously. 

How Can You Choose the Best Diet Plan

Clearly, the many diet plans have their relevance and are not for everyone. Before you choose any, you must know if it’s what you need. So, how can you choose the right plans? Here are a few tips to help.

  • Make sure it’s sustainable: The best diet plans, experts say, are the ones you can keep up. This consideration also includes your capacity to afford and prepare the foods recommended in that diet plan. If you cannot sustain a diet plan indefinitely, you should probably try something else. 
  • Avoid experimental plans: This includes plans that have not been tested and certified scientifically. Little is reliably known about such diets, especially their relevance and potential side effects.
  • Listen to your nutritionist: Your best shot at getting the right results is betting guidance from a certified nutrition expert. They will recommend the best, tested diets for you.
  • Follow the research: While your nutritionist may be familiar with the best-supported diets and the relevant research, it doesn’t hurt to know a bit yourself. Besides, especially when you can’t afford the services of an expert, it’s always great to have your own working understanding of these diets.

Conclusion

Diets offer a whole range of benefits, especially weight loss. However, we can see that each one works best for one thing or the other. Essentially, whatever your aims are, it’s dangerous to use just any diet plan to achieve them. And while it can initially be a challenge to determine the best from the many options, it doesn’t have to. 

This post gives you the tools you need to approach diet choices. By understanding enough about the relevant diets and with guidance from a trained and certified dietician or nutritionist, you will find that you will reach your dieting goals with as little to remedy as possible.

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