Eating healthy with your exercise program

It does not matter what kind of exercise workout program you will be doing to lose weight, manage your weight, shape your body and tone your body; if you are not eating healthy during the process, then your efforts will not be as successful as you want it to be. Food and overeating has proven to be the cause of many overweight and frustrated individuals. You can control what you eat by eating foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrate, smaller portions and food that is good for you.

Power Foods

There are certain foods that you can include in your meals that are called, “Powerfoods,” which when eaten in the correct portions will fuel your body’s metabolism and help you to lose fat. Some of these foods include, but are not limited to:

• Almonds or any other nuts (walnut, pecans and pistachio)


• Fruits (both fresh and dried); grapefruit, raspberries and other berries


• Vegetables (both fresh and dried), but spinach, asparagus, mushrooms and kale are particularly nutritious


• Beans and legumes


• Protein (lean meats, eggs, low fat milk, low fat yogurt, natural peanut butter)


• Fiber (unsweetened and unflavored oatmeal, cereal, whole wheat tortilla and whole grain bread)


• Olive oil, cayenne pepper, lemons, and rosemary


• Whey protein powder

A combination of these foods is what will help you to eat healthy and maintain your correct body weight.

Do you need to go on a diet?

You don’t have to go on a diet. In fact, many diets are complicated and invite failure in so many ways including:
Severe reduction of calories – Of course, you will lose weight with some diets, but you will be left feeling hungry and tempted to go back to your unhealthy eating. Eating the “powerfoods” mentioned above in variety, small portions and in moderation will help you to be healthy and full.

Severe restriction of too many food items – When you are on a diet, you cannot eat certain foods and that is understandable, but it is better to eat healthy foods that include the “powerfoods” and allow your body to get accustomed to eating them that you won’t crave for anything else.

Lifestyle is not taken into account with diets – Most diets don’t think about your lifestyle. You are busy as most of us usually are and don’t have a chef to prepare those meals that the diets call for, which may take longer to prepare than your “powerfoods.” You end up probably eating in a restaurant or eating what you can find because you are so tired from your busy day at work.

With the “powerfoods” you can create a recipe in minutes. You can even make a smoothie to replace your meal. This is very filling and nutritious at the same time. For example, breakfast would probably consist of a few raspberries, unsweetened oatmeal, whey protein powder, crushed ice, and low fat yogurt. Put everything in a blender and whip up a great tasting smoothie. You get your protein, fiber, egg white (optional) and carbohydrate in one healthy meal.

Conclusion

This type of healthy nutrition will help you to see results in your workout. It will also give you energy to work out. You will eat five to six small meals from your “powerfoods” combination. This will ensure that you never feel hungry or deprived. It is healthier to eat smaller portioned meals than larger meals. It gives your stomach time to digest the food and increase metabolism. Your exercise will prove to be more effective once you understand that eating plays a vital role as well.

Cheryline Lawson is a passionate, experienced and expert writer on various topics including health, business, marketing, and beauty. Ms. Lawson has over fifteen years of writing experience and does this on a full time basis.