The obsession with fitness isn’t going away anytime soon considering people are becoming more fascinated by the subject every day. Staying strong, healthy and fit is more than just about hitting the gym. Diet and the types of food we consume are, in fact, a much more important component of staying in shape, especially for individuals focused on bodybuilding training and nutrition.
There’s a million and one different trendy diets and supplements on the market, but keeping your body moving and performing at the highest standard really comes down to consuming the right food – whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein – at just the right time to unlock your body’s true potential. Even with healthy food options, not all are created equal, and there’s some super foods that blow everything else out of the water when it comes to nutrients.
Nutrient Rich Foods to Keep Your Body Primed to Perform
When it comes to energy-packed food, this is where to look. The best bodybuilding nutrition, with a little added boost from sports nutrition supplements, can help provide your body with everything it needs to make the most out of every movement.
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Vegetables
Whether you like it or not, vegetables are must in any healthy diet. They are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, keep blood pressure low, reduce the risk of digestive and eye problems, and are weapons against fatal stroke, heart disease and cancer. Superstars in the category include kale, potatoes and garlic. But perhaps the most nutritionally dense vegetables are seaweeds and marine algae, which also contain a number of antioxidants, bioactive compounds and iodine. Broccoli and dark leafy greens, squash, tomatoes are also big winners, though you really can’t go wrong when putting vegetables on your plate.
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Fruit
Fruits may be nature’s candy, but you won’t get fat from eating this sugar which is balanced out by natural fibers. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, micronutrients and just plain delicious, they are perfect for curving those midday hunger pains. Blueberries have long been hailed at the top, with acai and goji berries moving into the limelight more recently.
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Fish & Shellfish
The ocean provides some of the best and tastiest protein people can get. Fish are rich in nutrients, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA and play an important part in preventing a number of diseases. All fish are not created equal, however, and salmon is considered the nutritional powerhouse of the bunch. Furthermore, shellfish, like clams and oysters, are amongst the best sources of vitamin B12 that you can find.
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Legumes & Beans
Packed with iron, magnesium, and folic acid, legumes are one of the best sources of fiber around. They are also a high source of protein, being particularly valuable to individuals who prefer to avoid meat in their diet. Some of the most nutrient dense legumes include black beans, dried peas, chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils.
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Nuts & Seeds
For protein, fiber, vitamins, and complex carbohydrates, seeds and nuts shine. They also include many trace minerals like selenium, magnesium, and copper, missing from diets heavy in over-processed foods. Handful servings of almonds, cashews, flax seeds and other nuts and seeds make for perfect snacks.
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Eggs
They’ve been the scapegoat of the cholesterol police for years, but eggs are actually amongst the most nutritional foods on the planet. Egg yolks in particular are full of vitamins and minerals, including choline, a brain nutrient that 90% of people don’t get enough of. Quality protein and healthy fats are hallmarks of eggs.
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Dark Chocolate
It may surprise many people to learn that chocolate makes the list of most nutritional foods, dark chocolate specifically. Cocoa is super healthy, full of fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and loaded with a range of antioxidants. In fact, dark chocolate rates higher on health food benefits than powerhouses like blueberries. Just don’t indulge too much.
Giving Your Body a Boost with Sports Nutrition Supplements
Putting so much focus on the gym, their training and their in-game performance, many athletes simply lack the time to keep their body fueled with the proper sports nutrition. Many of the nation’s top athletes turn to workout supplements to help give them an extra edge, adding protein powders, pre and post workout supplements that can help give them the extra edge they are looking for.
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Protein Powders
Protein is necessary for muscle repair & growth, and adding protein powder can be a good option for squeezing in a bit more every day. Whey protein isolate powder is without a doubt the choice of the top athletes, being quickly dissolved and distributed through the body to help sculpt powerful muscle and combat fatigue.
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Pre-Workout and Post-Workout Muscle Recovery Supplements
Aside from protein powders, there’s a range of pre and post workout supplements. When looking for a pre-workout supplement, make sure to grab something rich in carbohydrates and perhaps some caffeine to help energize your workout and fight off fatigue. Post-workout supplements are about speeding up muscle recovery and preventing soreness, with experts pointing out branch-chain amino acids and tart cherry as key ingredients.
The secret to staying on top of your game is simple, providing your body with the right nutrients and minerals you need to get ahead. Make sure your body gets what it needs to perform at its peak with help from G6 Sports. Providing athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels with the most cutting edge sports supplements on the market, G6 Sports helps provide the extra boost your body is craving to outperform and outlast the competition. Give your body just what it needs without the excess and try the line of power-packed workout supplements from G6 Sports today.