Superfoods to Super Charge Your Workouts

Are you looking for a leaner physique, a way to increase your endurance, recover faster, build muscle quickly, and restore and replenish your body? Then look no further!

It should come to no surprise that a lean physique is shaped primarily by the food we eat. Consequently, most people don’t recognize how important food is to the body. Food serves many purposes, with the most obvious being to provide calories and en­ergy so that our body can function properly.

Proper fuel for our body is required for tissue repair and re­covery (especially after exercising intensely), muscle development, and keeping the body strong and lean.

As such, nutrition should be a central factor in the life of both athletes and non-athletes alike; whether you are interested in peak performance or simply shedding some body fat, proper nutrition is critical to health and successful athletic performance.

The most potent form of nutrition is found in raw foods. Consuming these healthy, high-energy foods make it dramatically easier to achieve your ideal goals. Raw foods contain the highest levels of key nutrients in the forms of vitamins and minerals, as well as enzymes that are usually destroyed when food is cooked. Raw and living foods provide you with natural and healthy choices to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Whatever your goals are, adding the following superfoods to your list of food choices can help you increase your energy, improve your strength and endurance, speed up recov­ery time from exercise, reduce body fat, and maintain lean mus­cle, along with looking and feeling younger.

E3live, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (AFA) is a blue-green algae with one of richest sources of chlorophyll found in nature. High chlorophyll content helps increase oxygen uptake, resulting in more fuel to the muscles and therefore increasing endurance, strength, and performance, while shortening recovery time. E3live is a complete protein source that is both easily digest­ible and useable. It also helps suppress the appe­tite because of its high nutrient source and therefore aids in fat loss. Take E3live in the morning on an empty stomach or any time right before your workout to give you an energy boost.

Algae: Spirulina and Chlo­rella are single-cell, water grown algae, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and enzymes. Both Spir­ulina and Chlorella have been used as high protein sourc­es that contain all of the amino acids to help with building muscle, strength, and endur­ance. They also improve en­ergy levels, balance blood sugar, and build stronger bones. Spirulina and Chlorella are complete proteins that are easily absorbed by the body, contain large amounts of chlorophyll, help decrease appetite, and can be used to help facilitate fat loss. Both algae can be added to smoothies and juices or sprinkled on salads.

Chia Seeds are packed with antioxi­dants, protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are the richest known plant source of omega-3. Chia seeds are digestible and absorbed easily by the body. They help speed recovery, increase energy, provide endurance, and help with regenera­tion of tissue for athletes. Chia seeds help bal­ance blood sugar and the soluble fiber in chia seeds helps suppress appetite which sup­ports fat loss. Chia seeds can be added to smooth­ies, salads, or simply soaked for 15 minutes and eaten.

Goji Berries, also known as a “longevity food,” are powerful antioxidants that contain protein, vitamins, and minerals. They in­crease energy, endurance, and vitality. They en­hance stamina and strength, assist in recovery from intense workouts, and promote cardio­vascular health. Before your next workout grab a handful of goji berries for an energy boost.

Bee Pollen is a complete food valued for its ar­ray of proteins, vi­tamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes. It increases strength, endurance, energy, and speed, and can be used to help with quicker recovery from exercise. Bee pollen can be added to smoothies, juices, or simply eaten on their own. Introduce bee pollen a little bit at a time to avoid any allergic reaction.

Brown Rice Protein Powder is a great substitute for traditional protein powders that are made with whey or milk protein. Brown rice protein powders are gluten free, hypoallergenic, and easily digestible. Popular among raw athletes is the Sunwarrior brand. At 85% protein, Sunwarrior has the highest raw, whole grain, vegan protein on the market. Next time you want an added protein boost, try Sunwarrior in your smoothies.

Whether you are an athlete, bodybuilder, or fitness and health enthusiast, incorporating some or all of the following superfoods can help fine-tune your physique and produce endless positive results.

Copyright © 2013 Mary Luciano