Quick and Easy Nutrition
A General Overview
One of the most popular errors or beliefs we like to embrace is that we can start to eat anything (and everything) once we start exercising. But as with everything in life – we have to be balanced!
Weight gain comes from consuming more calories than we expend. This is actually quite simple – and therefore we need to make sure we burn off all excess calories!
You may hear a lot about the fact that a nutritional, well-balanced diet is necessary for weight loss; but don’t forget it’s actually equally important for energy levels, overall health and weight management.
I eliminated the word “diet” from my vocabulary and rather learnt to include the concept of a healthy eating plan into my everyday life. I’ve found it more manageable, more motivational and more sustainable.
You probably know this already, but make sure your diet includes all of the following food groups:
- Carbohydrates
- Too many women consider carbohydrates as the enemy. But actually, especially in our kind of run-around lifestyle – they’re the most important source of energy. Take the time rather to understand the different kinds of carbohydrates:
- Not all carbohydrates are equally nutritious
- Simple carbohydrates have been processed and broken down before being put back together again in an unnatural way such as to produce something like chocolate. They don’t provide sustained energy – these merely cause and increase in the blood sugar level, which then sinks rapidly due to the increased levels of insulin generated to deal with this.
- This merely makes you hungry again!
- Complex carbohydrates take longer to be metabolised by the system.
- This causes less radical rises and falls in blood sugar levels.
- These include pasta; whole-grains; fruits and vegetables.
- This keeps you fuller for longer. And Yay – this is what you want!
- Proteins:
- Protein is required for muscle development
- You’ll be surprised to know that your average diet will usually fulfil your daily protein requirements (naturally)
- This may however change if you decide to become a seriously competitive athlete.
- Be careful to ensure that your proteins come from a low-fat source
- Eg fish and chicken
- Protein makes you feel full, quickest – so it helps to include a little bit of protein with each meal of snack.
- Fat
- You cannot abstain from fats totally – your body cannot produce the necessary fats required by itself.
- But control the intake and try to get your fat from good sources. Make wise choices.
- Fatty acids are required to keep your metabolism, hormones and digestion functioning.
- Unsaturated fats are the better choice.
- These are found in nuts, fish and vegetable oils.
- (Personally, I’m addicted to almonds as a snack!)
- The “bad” fats, namely saturated fats are found in cakes, meat, sweets and milk.
