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And as they say ‘you are what you eat’, a fact equally holds for the weight you put on in the gym. Choosing the right foods to help your body perform at its optimum best can help you win and recover faster.
Too many contradicting voices about nutrition fill the media today, making it harder and harder to determine what needs to be put on a plate.
That is why I have compiled the following list of the top 10 best foods for fitness. These are not exotic products like superfoods or supplements that you buy in a store – they are things we use every day in our homes and can enhance our training process.
It doesn’t matter if you are a professional sportsman or just a beginner – including these foods in your diet will help achieve the desired result and feel good.
10 Best Foods for Fitness
Below you find the list of the ten best foods for fitness in no order of importance.
Cow Milk
Let’s start with a classic: blessed raw milk from my good old cow. The myth that milk is only for children could not be further from the truth since milk contains nutrients that are useful in an exercise regime.
You are going to find it full of protein; this is very essential when it comes to tissue buildup as a result of a rigorous exercise session.
But that is not all – the product contains carbohydrates to restore your strength as an energy source, and calcium to strengthen your bones.
Also, it contains several vitamins and minerals which are so essential in the body.
The best part? It’s super versatile. You can take it neat or you can put it in your smoothies or shakes that you use to build your proteins.
The only thing that you need to be careful about is to use low-fat or skimmed milk in case you are on a diet.
Banana
Second on the list, we have the ever-reliable and popular banana. Do not be deceived by the humble looks of this fruit; it is a great benefit.
Bananas are natural energy-boosting foods that are rich in simple carbohydrates and provide instant power when needed.
They are a great fit for a snack before a workout or in the middle of a long training session.
Oh, but that’s not all – bananas contain potassium, which is needed to avoid muscle cramps and is great for the heart.
They do not require refrigeration and can be individually packaged in their biodegradable containers. How’s that for convenience?
Grilled Chicken
Now, let’s discuss protein – and it doesn’t get much better than grilled chicken. This lean meat is very popular among bodybuilders and other athletes for very good reasons.
This food is also very lightweight in fats but rich in proteins; thus suitable for bodybuilding and muscle support.
Grilled chicken is flexible in that it can be used to enrich salads, and sandwiches, or just accompany it with some vegetables to make a decent meal.
Moreover, this recipe is relatively simple to prepare in advance, so there will always be a healthy snack at hand. You just have to remember to take off the skin to make it as healthy as you can for you.
Veggies and Hummus
If you want a snack that is not only delicious but healthy as well then the best solution is to have veggies with hummus.
This combo offers you a crunch coupled with fiber in the vegetables and protein in the hummus. The veggies serve vitamins and minerals, the hummus serves as healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.
It is perfect for anyone seeking to fill their empty stomach but not in the position to gain extra weight to work out in the gym.
Also, there are ever so many vegetables available to be selected from – carrots, cucumbers, peppers, celery, and so on.
Black Bean Burger
Well, who says that burgers cannot be healthy? The black bean burger is an ideal substitute for the conventional burger since it is healthy.
Black beans have a large amount of protein and fiber, which assists in making individuals have a full feeling.
They also contain large amounts of iron, which is responsible for the transportation of oxygen in the muscle to exercise.
Black bean burgers can be prepared at your own home and allow you to decide what you want to include in the burger.
It is best served with whole grain buns and your choice of toppings for a satisfying and healthy sandwich.
Cocoa
Well, here is good news for chocolate lovers out there – cocoa is good for your fitness! When I say chocolate, I’m not talking about chocolate bars or chocolate-flavored candy bars; it is cocoa powder without any added sugar.
It is a source of antioxidants that are useful in reducing inflammation and healing the muscles after exercising.
Cocoa also has a little bit of caffeine which is good if you need a little boost of energy. It is best used incorporated in protein shakes or oatmeal to add flavor and extra nutrients.
A Bowl of Berries
Berries are some of the smallest fruits in the world, but they are some of the most nutritious as well. Berries of all kinds are good for the body – strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are all friends of the fitness regime.
Many of these fruits come in vivid colors which are packed with antioxidant compounds that help the body to withstand the stress that comes with exercising.
They also contain a very low number of total calories and have a relatively high density of fiber.
Besides, they are a natural sweetener meaning that you can use them to quell your sugar desires and still be healthy.
Mix them into your bowls of cereal or yogurt, throw them on some salad, or simply munch on them after your workout.
Peanut Butter
Believe it or not, peanut butter is one of the tastiest foods that has various advantages to your fitness diet. This is rich in protein and healthy fats that make you feel full and also give you energy for the whole day.
Peanut butter also contains magnesium; which is essential for muscular and neural activity. It is otherwise a very high-calorie meal, so just be careful of portion control.
They can be eaten alone, one or two tablespoons before a workout or as a snack after working out spread on whole grain toast, or incorporated into a smoothie.
Tomatoes
Do not dismiss tomato in your weight loss plan as it has what it takes to cut. These red beauties are rich in lycopene and this can help shrink muscles and inflammation after exercising.
They are also relatively low in calories and very high in vitamin C, the immune-boosting vitamin that also aids the body in absorbing iron from other sources.
Tomatoes are a versatile ingredient that you can add to sandwiches, in salads, or cooked in a sauce, and they will help to increase the nutritional value of your food.
Water or a Sports Drink
Last but not least we need to keep hydrated so that our body can function at its optimal best. This is why water can be considered the most important ‘food’ for achieving the desired fitness.
It controls the body temperature, delivers nutrients, and makes your muscles coordinate as they are supposed to.
During most exercises, plain water is sufficient provided that it is taken at proper intervals to replenish the lost fluids.
However, if you are vigorously exercising for longer than an hour, particularly in warm conditions then a sports drink is going to be useful. Just make sure not to consume it too often – most sports drinks contain large amounts of sugar.
Conclusion
And that is it, basically the best ten foods for fitness. So, you can also clearly see that eating for fitness not only is simple but can also be interesting.
It is all about the selection of foods that are whole and that are rich in nutrients that will help you achieve your objectives.
Well, do not hesitate and try these foods to understand how they may help you enhance your fitness level. Believe me, your body will feel much better!
