What are the best foods to add to your diet to see quicker results from your workout? What would make all that gruelling hard work and discipline even more beneficial? With some trepidation I grilled the Fitness Experts at Breaking Muscle and was pleasantly surprised by their answers!
Their Fitness Experts explained: “While you may be clued up on the necessary exercises to meeting your fitness goals, it’s not always so simple. Your diet is crucial when it comes to working out, as it plays an important role in achieving optimum results. Proteins and carbohydrate are vital nutrients, whether your aim be to lose weight or build muscle.”
Five yummy foods for optimum fitness
1. Greek yoghurt
High in protein and low in fat, Greek yoghurt helps to promote weight loss while simultaneously building muscle. It contains probiotics to improve immune and digestive health and contributes to a healthy gut biome. Adding a handful of almonds to the yoghurt (six grams of protein per ounce) will create an even more effective snack.
2. Brown rice
High in fibre, complex carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fat and antioxidants, brown rice is an excellent food for exercise, supplying long-term energy during workouts. Add kidney or black beans for an increased intake of protein.
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal can help with endurance and strength. It provides complex carbohydrates and protein to aid workout progress and is rich in fibre. Adding berries, with their inflammation-fighting antioxidants, can contribute to healing after exercise.
4. Sweet potatoes
A source of complex carbohydrates sweet potatoes have a high fibre and water content. This contributes to the feeling of being full. They contain vitamin A, potassium and riboflavin which all aid the muscle building process. Adding red peppers, with their anti-inflammatory antioxidants, could ease post-workout pain.
5. Eggs
Eggs are high in protein and healthy fats. These combined properties build muscle and cause a feeling of fullness, which can aid with weight loss. Adding whole grain bread increases the protein content and adds fibre.
To my great relief the Breaking Muscle Fitness Experts were all in agreement when I asked them about food preparation: “Snacks don’t need to be anything complicated, and something as simple as oatmeal and bananas for breakfast won’t take a chunk of time out of a busy day.”
