The Benefits of Sports Nutrition in Young Athletes

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Many people get into sports to stay fit, active, and healthy. However, without the proper nutrition, heavy physical activity can lead to harm and injury. When it comes to sport nutrition we all need to learn, know, and practice it. However, there is one group that needs to be particularly careful, and that is student athletes. Student athletes are often not taught good sports nutrition, but perhaps need it the most considering their developing bodies and careers.

Here are some simple things to keep in mind for young, student athletes:

  • Keep them hydrated. Whether is during training or a big game, always keep them hydrated. Also, remember to keep them hydrated throughout the whole day and not just when they’re working out.
  • Make sure they stretch before and after any training, work out, or game. Stretching out the muscles will help them warm up before a hard workout. This will allow for better performance and a lower chance of injury. Also, stretching at the end of a workout lets the muscles relax and recover slowly.
  • Make sure they are eating a balanced diet.  Make sure your student athlete is eating right and giving their body enough fuel to perform at its best. This includes not skipping meals and eating plenty of carbs and proteins.
  • Make sure they are properly equipped. Make sure your athlete has all their equipment and knows how to use or wear it properly.
  • Let them rest. Don’t overdo it. If they need to rest, stop and give them a break. You don’t want them to hurt themselves or push them too hard.
  • If something hurts, stop. It’s ok to push athletes, but if something is really hurting them, they need to stop. If a particular part of their body is hurting consistently, make sure they see a doctor before continuing any heavy exercise.
  • Make sure they’re healthy both physically and mentally.  When athletes are just starting out it can often be hard for them to handle everything. Make sure you’re not pushing them too hard and that they are focused. If the athlete seems distracted or bothered, talk to them to make sure they are ok and that they are handling things well.

By keeping these simple things in mind we will be able to raise happy, healthy athletes. Whether they are heading for the big leagues or just playing for fun, by starting them out right we can help them live a good life of health, fitness, and fun.

To learn more about your nutrition needs as you train, perform and recover from physical activity, sign up for your:  Sports Nutrition Free Report.

Sports Nutrition for Better Workouts

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I believe exercise is one of the great gifts in the world today.  It’s healthy, it’s energizing, and it helps us to feel and look our very best.  So shouldn’t we do everything we can to get the most out of our workouts?  How many of us actually know that what we ate last night and this morning can have a huge impact on the quality of our workout today?  Yes, it’s true, sports nutrition can ensure your diet will efficiently fuel your exercise — and not slow it down.

Here’s a look at the parts of a training diet designed to optimize athletic performance:

• Fluids help maintain normal body temperature and deliver energy and nutrients to muscles; this is important because well-hydrated athletes can perform better and longer.

• Carbohydrate is the fuel of choice for all athletes because it is the most readily available fuel source for working muscles.

• Protein is essential for increasing muscle mass and strength, and for better recovery from prolonged or intense exercise.

• Vitamins and minerals don’t provide energy, but they’re essential for converting the food you eat into energy your muscles can use.

Timing the consumption of your food and drink throughout exercise can improve hydration, energy, recovery, and the quality of your workouts. Following this sports nutrition regimen before, during, and after workouts can help you to get the most out of your training.

BEFORE:  The American College of Sports Medicine recommends prehydrating with 2–3 cups of fluids in the hours before exercise.  Carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, salads, fruits, and sports bars should be eaten two to four hours before exercise, and you should consider topping off your fuel stores with a high-carbohydrate nutritional shake as little as an hour before your event.

DURING:  Continue hydrating with at least a half cup of water or sports drink every 15 to 30 minutes during exercise.  For longer events, consider easily digested high-carbohydrate foods, including gels, bars, bagels, and bananas.

AFTER:  Make sure to consume fluids, carbohydrate, and protein immediately after exercise to maximize hydration, muscle refueling, muscle repair, and muscle rebuilding.  The right blend of carbohydrate and protein after exercise can enhance the recovery process, especially in those who workout daily.

Sports nutrition helps me feel fit and healthy every day, and I know it can help anyone who really wants to make their workouts count.

Learn More About Sports Nutrition Products

Source: Shaklee, Less Wong, Vice President of Health Sciences

Holistic Nutrition Programs Can Enhance Your Diet and Help You Build Better Health

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holistic nutrition programsAre you thinking about supplementing your diet with a holistic nutrition program to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs on a daily basis? Every day you build new cells in your body. Science and research tells us that what you feed those cells is at least partially responsible for how healthy those cells – YOU – will be.

Doing your homework, and your own research on natural nutrition, brings you one step closer to living the healthy, happy life you imagine. It’s important that you take personal responsibility for your own good health because ultimately it is only up to you. Your doctor is primarily concerned with treating illness. You have to take control of good health.

It is important to find a nutrition program and eating style that works for you. I like to use the word style when talking about my daily diet mainly because it makes my brain think of shopping and that’s something I enjoy. Try tricking yourself into making your diet more pleasant by incorporating a word your brain associates with something you enjoy. For example, game plan would help a sports lover think of their diet as a plan for success or victory.

In future posts we are going to talk more about holistic nutrition and natural nutrition. You want long, lasting results with your health, and there is scientific proof that natural is better than synthetic nutrition. Synthetic means chemicals and natural is closer to the way food and nutrients are found in nature.

You have to be careful with the word natural when evaluating nutrition products. Legally, a supplement only needs to be 10% natural to slap the word on a label. That’s not necessarily good because natural can still mean chemicals – and other things that can actually be harmful to your health.

To date there has only been on long term food supplement study. It was done over 20 years and the results were quite revealing. Blood levels of participants were monitored and the results showed that people who took synthetic vitamins (chemicals) had some of their blood tests come back in worse shape than if they took no supplements at all.

The better news is that people who used whole-food, natural (holistic) nutrition supplements had the best overall health of everyone in the study – significantly better.
The need for holistic nutrition programs in a diet “style” isn’t always visible at first glance. Three meals a day filled with protein, fruits and vegetables would be ideal, though there are considerations. First, the reality is that most of us don’t always eat as healthy as we should. Second, often our bodies need what our diets cannot give them.

best diet supplementsWhat Do Nutrition Supplements Do?

Nutritional supplements come in the form of pills, capsules, powders and liquids and are designed to boost the overall health and energy of your diet plan. If you are currently on a reduced calorie intake, your body may not be getting all the nutrients it needs. Lack of a variety of food sources can slow down daily processes in your body. Nutritional substances are designed to deliver vitamins, herbs and minerals to the body to support its biochemical functions.

Dietary restrictions may make it impossible for you to take in the required nutrients for a healthy lifestyle. In this case, you can fulfill your need for nutrients with a daily holistic nutrition program so that your body can still perform its necessary functions. When possible it is best to receive these nutrients by eating a variety of foods. Nutritional supplements are not intended to replace a balance diet.

Who Needs Holistic Nutrition?

• People with weak immune systems and fatigue
• Adults over age 50
• Women who are pregnant, nursing or trying to become pregnant
• Female adolescents
• Athletes in intense sports trainings
• Those who see limited sunlight
• Those who consume less than 1,600 calories a day
• Vegans and Vegetarians

Check back for an article we are posting about natural nutrition vs chemical based nutrition. We will also explain more about how ‘natural’ is not always natural – and why it’s important to understand the differences.

Before beginning any diet or nutritional supplement it is important to talk to your doctor or nutritionist. Discuss your diet and food consumption so they can prescribe the best holistic nutrition program for your needs. Contact them immediately if you notice any side effects.

To learn more about a holistic nutrition program with the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U.S., visit:  best diet supplements.

Healthy Snack: Kale Chips

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I have been searching for healthy snacks on the internet that would be good to have when I have that urge to munch on something.  I am sure you have had this urge before!  I have found on numerous sites that Kale Chips are a great, nutritious snack.  They have that crispy taste – sort of like a potato chip.  They are so simple to make!

Here is the recipe to make Kale Chips. Let me know what you think!

  1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
  2. Wash and dry the kale and then strip them off of their stem and tear into larger pieces (if they are too small, they can fall apart).
  3. Then warm coconut oil (about 1 tbsp for all of the kale) in the palm of your hands and toss the kale until it is all coated.
  4. Next, spread them in a single layer on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper (single layer is important or they will steam instead of crisp up).
  5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then bake for about 20 to 25 min.
  6. Once they are done, sprinkle your seasoning of choice on top (xylitol brown sugar, garlic or a spicy seasoning all work great).

Need more healthy options? Read these 15 steps I added to my lifestyle that helped me lose 30 pounds in 4 months.

Sports Nutrition: Gearing Up To Watch The Summer Olympics?

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Are you gearing up to watch the 2012 Summer Olympics?  They are right around the corner!  Which events do you enjoy watching the best?  My favorite is the swimming and gymnastics.

Would you like to know how some of the Olympic athletes stay energized, hydrated, and restore their muscles?

Billy Demong, a two-time world champion and the only American to ever win gold in a Nordic skiing event, uses specific sports nutrition products in his daily routine.

Billy uses a Shaklee Sports Nutrition line.  The unique Sports Nutrition line, along with the multivitamin and monthly nutrition systems help you, the active person or serious athlete, get the most from your workout and build lean, strong, healthy muscles.

The Right Fuel for the Right Time:
It so simple to know what to take and when to take it. There are three Sports Nutrition products, each with its own purpose and each with its own specific timing. From start to finish, you are covered! Athletes make tough demands on their bodies. You can get  the very most out of your workouts by delivering the right nutrition at the right time. The Shaklee Sports Nutrition line makes it simple!

Here is a list of more Olympic Athletes using this Sports Nutrition Line:

Troy Dumais, Michael Blatchford, Margaux Isaksen, Dennis Bowsher, Corey Cogdell, Seth Kelsey, Caryn Davies, Keith Sanderson, Justin Dumais, Zach Krych, Eli Bremer, Kris Freeman, Peter Frenette, Adam Moore, Craig Blanchette, Laurie Brandt, Kent Bostick, Sandra Gal, Reilley Rankin, Jennifer Rodriguez, and Carl Rundell.

We are obviously not all Olympic athletes.  The Sports Nutrition products are formulated to help ALL types of athletes.  Whether your passion is endurance sports, adventure, or fitness– you are covered. Whether you are a weekend warrior or a world-class athlete—we’ve got you covered. Whether you like competing as a team, one-on-one, or against yourself—you are covered. It doesn’t matter if your focus is getting in shape or taking your favorite sport to the next level. Inside. Outside. Around the track or around the house. The Sports Nutrition line can help!

Shaklee Sports Nutrition Is Perfect for Anyone Who Enjoys:
Running, Jogging, Walking, Lifting Weights, Aerobics, Golfing, Tennis, Martial Arts, Bowling, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Skiing, Hiking, Biking, Snowboarding, etc.

I will highlight each individual product in future posts.

To learn more about Sports Nutrition Products, visit here: Learn More

If you are interested in ordering the Sports Nutrition Products, visit here: Sports Nutrition Products