Did you know that more Americans are focused on fitness and optimum nutrition than ever before? According to the IBIS World US Market Research Report, in the year 2017 alone, many people belonging to the age demographic of 20 to 64 have signed up at gyms and fitness centers. To cater to the growing demand, various cities across the country like Houston, Austin, and Jacksonville are seeing an exponential rise in the number of indoor fitness centers. A more interesting phenomenon is that these gyms are open round the clock for fitness enthusiasts looking to schedule their training sessions around their working hours.
Combining Fitness with Optimum Nutrition is Essential
If you have recently joined the ranks of weight watchers, bodybuilders, and health-conscious professionals, you’re probably also focused on eating the right kind of food. As your fitness instructor will likely advise, you must fuel your body with the right nutrients to get the best results from your workouts. Accordingly, make sure that each meal you eat has at least 40% proteins, 40% carbohydrates, and 20% fats. Here’s why:
1. Your Muscles Need Adequate Protein to Heal
When you workout, you inflict micro tears in the muscles. As the body heals these traumas, you build strength and stamina. Like a feature in the Bodybuilding magazine explains, if you’re focused on building muscle mass or endurance, you need adequate protein as a part of an optimum nutrition plan. Proteins contain essential amino acids that the body uses as building blocks to repair and regenerate the torn tissues. Over time, you’ll feel stronger and find that you can exercise for longer periods.
2. Your Body Uses Carbohydrates for Energy
Since carbohydrates can be instantly converted into energy, your trainer will recommend that you eat a carb-rich diet a few hours before a workout session. Give your body enough time to digest the carbs so you can complete your exercises without feeling fatigued. In case you’re starting to feel tired, your trainer might ask you to drink fluids containing electrolytes and simple sugars that act as an instant energy boost.
3. Your Body Needs Fats for Proper Functioning
Many athletes and weight watchers on a workout plan are under the misconception that fats are bad for you. However, new research conducted at the National Center for Biotechnology Information reveals that fats are highly essential as a stored source of energy. The liver stores fat in the form of glycogen and makes it available to you when you workout. Further, by adding fats in your optimum nutrition plan, you ensure the normal functioning of your body systems and keep hormone imbalances at bay. Of course, the best meal prep is one that includes fats that come from healthy foods.
4. Your Body Needs Foods with a High Biological Value
New research indicates that your body processes proteins in different ways. Some foods are easily assimilated into the body while others are less efficiently absorbed. For this reason, when working out an optimum nutrition plan, you may want to choose foods that your body can use and process more readily. Foods like whey protein, cow milk, and egg whites are excellent for building mass. Other foods like fish, casein, beef, soy, and chicken score lower on the Biological Value scale.
5. Your Body Needs Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to the various food groups, fortify your body with vitamins, minerals, and other elements that assist in the absorption of nutrients. While you can get these nutrients from the intake of fruits and vegetables, you can also get them from other sources. Under the direction of your trainer, you can take supplements in any form like, for instance, pills, energy drinks, or powder mixed with juices or milk. These supplements also help in building immunity, strength, and promoting long-term good health by ridding your body of toxins and helping in the rebuilding of cells.
For Busy People, Optimum Nutrition Can Present a Challenge
It is understandable that juggling work, personal commitments, and a regular exercise routine can present a significant challenge. Maintaining a kitchen at home involves time and effort and you’ll have to spend hours scouring the internet for healthy recipes, shopping, cooking, and cleaning up. All of which might seem like an impossible task.
After a full day at work, an hour or two at the gym, and spending time with family, you might find that you’re relying more on takeaway and restaurant food. Studies have shown that restaurant and takeout meals typically contain high levels of sodium, unhealthy hydrogenated oils and trans fats, sugars, and other elements that are bad for your body when consumed regularly.
Like the expert nutritionist at the Prepared Meal Delivery Houston services recommends, a better option is to sign up with a healthy meal delivery service that ships the meals you need complete with optimum nutrition. Not only do these services cater to your preferences and health restrictions, but they serve meals that are nutritious and packed with taste and variety.
Choose the Best Home Meal Delivery Service
When signing up with a home meal delivery service, choose a company that ships meals in your area and matches your requirements. Like, for instance, gluten-free food, low-sodium meals, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, or even, organic meals. By opting for the right meal service, you can ensure that you and your family eat nutritious meals that are cooked with fresh ingredients free of preservatives and additives. With the right meals and workout regimen, you ensure good health and longevity.
