1) Water, water, water
Many people don’t drink enough water. If you loose weight during a workout it is from loosing water not fat. Humans consist of 60-70% water. It is essential for many functions of the body including lubricating joints (prevent arthritis), breathing and sweating, excreting waste, and carrying nutrients. Drinking water has been shown to help loose weight, decrease constipation, increase energy, and prevent and reduce headaches. Drink water before, during and after exercise.
2) Almond Butter & Apple Delight:
Slice 1 organic apple and spread organic almond butter on the surface. Keep the apple skin on for increased fiber. Almond butter is higher in protein then peanut butter and less risk of inflammation from a sensitivity or allergy reaction. That being said, peanut butter is a less expensive and healthy option if preferred.
3) Amazon Trail Mix
Take 2-3 Brazil nuts, dried coconut slices, dark chocolate chips and blueberries and mix it in a bowl. Fiber, protein (Leucine*), good fat, and a little caffeine kick from the chocolate. Yum
4) Almond butter and Jelly Sandwich (remix)
Take one tablespoon of organic almond butter and one tablespoon of your favorite fruit-only jelly (without added sugar) and spread them in between two slices of low GI whole grain bread. Easy to pack and brings back nice childhood comfort-food memories.
5) Nutty Yogurt Parfait
Take ¼ cup of Greek yogurt, add walnuts, and your favorite sliced fruit. Get one of your 3 servings of dairy requirements per day plus Leucine* from nuts and fiber from fruit (reminder daily recommended amount of fiber for a woman is 25 grams!)
*Leucine, an amino acid, has been shown in several studies to stimulate protein synthesis, help turn on the body’s switch to build muscle and spare muscle when dieting and post workout. Leucine is an essential amino acid, which simply means our bodies cannot produce it and we must get it from dietary sources such as mean, nuts, and dairy. Research suggests to eat 0.2g/kg body weight of protein after a heavy training session.
For more healthy snack ideas visit Nuts.com . Check out their “NUTritious” facts and the ways to restore your energy with high protein picks!