Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
The Ultimate Muscle Meal Plan
With this article, I just wanted to share with you one of my special muscle meal plans that I love. Surprisingly, it actually comes in the form of a salad, but it is killer!
I know the ladies will love this idea, but for all of you guys out there that think eating a salad makes you less of a man… Well, you haven’t tried my ultimate “salad on roids” yet!
Keep in mind that this salad is not low in calories. It’s not low in fat. It’s not low in carbs.
And guess what…that’s the whole point! It’s not low in anything, but it sure as hell is HIGH in everything under the sun that’s good for your body… just about every vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, and phytonutrient on the planet! And that means your body will receive all the nutrition it needs to maintain optimal hormonal balance, function at it’s highest capacity, keep your appetite satisfied for hours, and prevent any unwanted cravings.
Keep in mind that last point… when you fill your body with all of the nutrients it needs on a daily basis, you pretty much totally eliminate cravings! This happens because your body is satisfied and doesn’t need to crave any more food, because it has all of the nutrients it needs.
I’ve experienced this myself. Years ago, I used to crave sweets ALL THE TIME. But now that I eat the balanced diet that I do these days, I can’t say that I’ve had a craving in at least 5 years! No joke.
Alright, here’s the special muscle meal plan recipe:
The Ultimate Muscle Salad
approx 1-2 cups spinach leaves
approx 1-2 cups mixed leaf lettuce
shredded carrots
1/2 of a ripe avocado, diced
2 hard boiled eggs, diced (preferrably organic, cage free)
3 Tbsp chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
top with homemade dressing made of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and Udo’s Choice Oil Blend (3/4 of total liquid should come from the vinegar)
Mix it all together and you’ve got one delicious and ridiculously nutritious salad. For an extra shot of antioxidants, wash it all down with some homemade iced green/white/oolong tea lightly sweetened with the natural sweetener Stevia or a little touch of raw honey.
Alright, now let’s look at the approx macronutrient breakdown:
Prot: 23 g., Carbs: 48 g., Fiber: 12 g., Fat: 45 g., Calories: 650
Now before you throw your arms up in disgust and call me crazy for recommending such a high fat, high calorie meal, keep in mind to scale back the portion sizes for your own caloric goal. The portions above are simply the portions that I use considering that my maintenance caloric intake is around 3000 calories/day. If your maintenance is 2000 calories/day, then scale back the portions accordingly.
Also, I don’t care about the high fat content of this meal… because every last gram of the fat in this meal is VERY healthy… from the pecans, the olive oil, the Udo’s oil, the fresh avocado… and yes, even the fat from the eggs is good for you!
How about the carbs? Well, out of a total of 48 grams, you’ve got 12 grams of fiber. That’s a pretty good ratio. Also, the healthy fats and protein in this meal will slow down the carbohydrate digestion, giving you a healthy glycemic response and steady controlled blood sugar.
Alright, so you’re probably also wondering why there isn’t a larger amount of protein. After all, protein is all the rage with bodybuilders, right. Well, actually 23 grams isn’t too shabby, especially considering 14 grams of that comes from the highly bioavailable protein from the hard boiled eggs. Also consider that this meal has a whole lot of healthy fats, which increases the utilization of your protein. This happens because your body does not need to use your protein for energy, and can instead use it for muscle building or maintenance, and all of the other various functions that amino acids are needed for in the body.
Overall, with this meal plan, you’ve got a great mix of healthy fats, good fibrous carbs, quality protein, and a huge diversity of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other trace nutrients.
Building Muscle What Is It Worth To You
It seems like steroids are everywhere you turn your head these days. On the news, in most sporting circles, in high schools, on the street, in foreign drug rings, and on and on. It’s amazing what people think they know and really don’t know about building muscle. While most people are probably getting sick of it, I for one and glad that this is happening. I as a bodybuilder think that it is about time that this became “dinner table” talk because people’s perceptions really need to be changed in order for this sport that I love to be a legitimate endeavor.
Building muscle is a very complicated and often abused activity. I believe there are good and bad reasons for doing it. Human strength and the muscular body are amazing and beautiful things, in my opinion, but only if it takes hard work to do it and only if it is done in a healthy way. Pushing the limits of human performance in athletics is awesome and a great motivator for people to stay healthy and fit, but the problem is that these have stopped being the prime movers in the “business” of sports. The whole problem is that is has become a business and whenever money becomes the motivation the dark side starts creeping in.
It is amazing what people will do for power whether it is prestige, or wealth, or popularity, or visibility, or whatever. All that happens is that people get hurt and the sport is denigrated and ends up losing the respect and all of the above things that people are craving when they become involved in it. I mean come on can it be that fun to be better than everyone else, when it means that you have to resort to cheating to do it? Aren’t the best things in life those things that don’t come easy? And since when did the risk of death become worth it to so many people in exchange for a few fleeting moments of “respect” that you’re give? Well I want to be the first to tell you that all people who spend a lot of time building muscle are vain.
Why do I spend lots of time building muscle? Well for one thing it is a healthy thing to do when done correctly. It protects you from all sorts of injuries and pains. It keeps you fit as muscle is one of the best metabolizers in your body. It makes your bones strong, it protects your joints, it gives you good balance and control of your body, it allows you to do activities that you enjoy for longer. It also has positive effects on you mental health. It gives you a sense of accomplishment, it elevates your mood, makes you more confident, gives you the same kind of high that a runner gets by releasing natural endorphins, etc.
So by all means get into sports and get strong but do it for the right reasons and in the right ways or you are going to end up exactly where you don’t want to be
Building muscle is a very complicated and often abused activity. I believe there are good and bad reasons for doing it. Human strength and the muscular body are amazing and beautiful things, in my opinion, but only if it takes hard work to do it and only if it is done in a healthy way. Pushing the limits of human performance in athletics is awesome and a great motivator for people to stay healthy and fit, but the problem is that these have stopped being the prime movers in the “business” of sports. The whole problem is that is has become a business and whenever money becomes the motivation the dark side starts creeping in.
It is amazing what people will do for power whether it is prestige, or wealth, or popularity, or visibility, or whatever. All that happens is that people get hurt and the sport is denigrated and ends up losing the respect and all of the above things that people are craving when they become involved in it. I mean come on can it be that fun to be better than everyone else, when it means that you have to resort to cheating to do it? Aren’t the best things in life those things that don’t come easy? And since when did the risk of death become worth it to so many people in exchange for a few fleeting moments of “respect” that you’re give? Well I want to be the first to tell you that all people who spend a lot of time building muscle are vain.
Why do I spend lots of time building muscle? Well for one thing it is a healthy thing to do when done correctly. It protects you from all sorts of injuries and pains. It keeps you fit as muscle is one of the best metabolizers in your body. It makes your bones strong, it protects your joints, it gives you good balance and control of your body, it allows you to do activities that you enjoy for longer. It also has positive effects on you mental health. It gives you a sense of accomplishment, it elevates your mood, makes you more confident, gives you the same kind of high that a runner gets by releasing natural endorphins, etc.
So by all means get into sports and get strong but do it for the right reasons and in the right ways or you are going to end up exactly where you don’t want to be
Good Nutrition Tips For A Healthier Family
Balancing your nutrition and receiving proper nourishment all around can
help you look and feel better. But before you decide to start with any
type of nutrition-specific diet, you first need to learn a little bit
more about the topic. Below you'll find some nutrition-based tips to
help you out.
For many people, starting the day with a carb-heavy breakfast sets a vicious cycle in motion, where they get hungry all day. If you are one of those people, help yourself lose weight by having a low-carb, protein-heavy breakfast. If you fix yourself 2-3 scrambled eggs and a quick cup of tea or coffee, and no toast, you will be amazed at how long those eggs will stay with you. You won't get that 10:30am hunger zap. Similarly, if you drag a bit in the early afternoon, a protein snack, such as a cheese stick, hard-boiled egg, or a few slices of lean deli turkey or ham will give you a centered feeling and keep you from feeling hungry too soon.
If you are looking to get the most nutrition from your food than you will need to minimize the processing that has occurred on them. Fresh and raw foods lock in the nutrients so that they are not cooked away before the meal.
If you can make one change to improve your nutrition, it should be to reduce or eliminate sugars. Much has been made of low-glycemic index foods, and indeed there is a strong basis to show that lowering sugars can guard against health problems such as diabetes, as well as lowering one's appetite for sugary foods, which can contribute to weight loss.
You should not totally avoid red meat. While it is generally higher in saturated fat, you can cut this by removing its skin. Opt for leaner cuts of red meat such as beef, pork and chicken. They still contain a vast amount of protein and as long as they are skin-free, the fat is removed or reduced, and nothing unhealthy is added to them, they make healthy additions to any diet.
Try eating low-fat dairy products. Milk and cheese have very high fat levels, and instead of cutting them out of a healthy diet completely, try eating them in a more sensible, low-fat way. Try cheeses that are lower in fat, such as cottage cheese, and try purchasing 1% or 2% milk. This way you can still enjoy dairy foods and their benefits.
You should use the amount of calories you've allotted yourself each day to fuel your body with good food. It is better for you to eat 1,8000 calories worth of nutritious whole grains, protein, and veggies instead of that same number of calories worth of sweets. The food you are eating is as critical as the quantity you are consuming.
Wheat, made into bread, has been called "the staff of life." Most of us make it a major part of our diet. But in recent years we have learned more of the "down side" of wheat. The high gluten content in wheat can cause indigestion--even celiac disease--in some people. We should note our body's reaction to wheat carefully.
If you are hosting a luncheon, and you desire to keep the food as healthy as possible, consider serving a healthy version of tuna salad. Tuna is low in calories, rich in protein, and is a great choice for getting omega-3 fatty acids. Purchase a few cans of white beans, and puree the beans in a blender. Once pureed, mix the beans with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and combine both mixtures with the tuna. Instantly, you have made a healthier version of tuna salad that will go a long way in serving a large gathering.
Almost every diet has specific needs, even the most balanced diets. As you have just learned from this article, it's not hard at all to receive proper nutrition via a balanced diet. The main thing you need to focus on is heeding the wise advice and not simply assuming what good nutrition is. Use what you've learned here and keep it healthy.
For many people, starting the day with a carb-heavy breakfast sets a vicious cycle in motion, where they get hungry all day. If you are one of those people, help yourself lose weight by having a low-carb, protein-heavy breakfast. If you fix yourself 2-3 scrambled eggs and a quick cup of tea or coffee, and no toast, you will be amazed at how long those eggs will stay with you. You won't get that 10:30am hunger zap. Similarly, if you drag a bit in the early afternoon, a protein snack, such as a cheese stick, hard-boiled egg, or a few slices of lean deli turkey or ham will give you a centered feeling and keep you from feeling hungry too soon.
If you are looking to get the most nutrition from your food than you will need to minimize the processing that has occurred on them. Fresh and raw foods lock in the nutrients so that they are not cooked away before the meal.
If you can make one change to improve your nutrition, it should be to reduce or eliminate sugars. Much has been made of low-glycemic index foods, and indeed there is a strong basis to show that lowering sugars can guard against health problems such as diabetes, as well as lowering one's appetite for sugary foods, which can contribute to weight loss.
You should not totally avoid red meat. While it is generally higher in saturated fat, you can cut this by removing its skin. Opt for leaner cuts of red meat such as beef, pork and chicken. They still contain a vast amount of protein and as long as they are skin-free, the fat is removed or reduced, and nothing unhealthy is added to them, they make healthy additions to any diet.
Try eating low-fat dairy products. Milk and cheese have very high fat levels, and instead of cutting them out of a healthy diet completely, try eating them in a more sensible, low-fat way. Try cheeses that are lower in fat, such as cottage cheese, and try purchasing 1% or 2% milk. This way you can still enjoy dairy foods and their benefits.
You should use the amount of calories you've allotted yourself each day to fuel your body with good food. It is better for you to eat 1,8000 calories worth of nutritious whole grains, protein, and veggies instead of that same number of calories worth of sweets. The food you are eating is as critical as the quantity you are consuming.
Wheat, made into bread, has been called "the staff of life." Most of us make it a major part of our diet. But in recent years we have learned more of the "down side" of wheat. The high gluten content in wheat can cause indigestion--even celiac disease--in some people. We should note our body's reaction to wheat carefully.
If you are hosting a luncheon, and you desire to keep the food as healthy as possible, consider serving a healthy version of tuna salad. Tuna is low in calories, rich in protein, and is a great choice for getting omega-3 fatty acids. Purchase a few cans of white beans, and puree the beans in a blender. Once pureed, mix the beans with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and combine both mixtures with the tuna. Instantly, you have made a healthier version of tuna salad that will go a long way in serving a large gathering.
Almost every diet has specific needs, even the most balanced diets. As you have just learned from this article, it's not hard at all to receive proper nutrition via a balanced diet. The main thing you need to focus on is heeding the wise advice and not simply assuming what good nutrition is. Use what you've learned here and keep it healthy.
10 Tips On Losing Weight Fast
Before starting a fast safe diet , you must determine your ideal weight. This will be your guide on your journey to weight loss. Weight loss "fast" does not mean that you drop 50 pounds overnight , a few pounds can take months to pay and safe dieting pills for obese people , it may take years to lose the desired weight. How healthy weight loss diet long you lose weight depends on how focused you are on your diet .
Here are some simple steps to help you lose weight:
1.before plan, you must know the amount of calories you normally need in a day. If you are sedentary , multiply your weight (in pounds ) fast safe diet by fifteen . If you are moderately active , multiply your weight by seventeen safe dieting pills years , if active , multiply your weight by twenty . This will give the average consumption of fast safe diet calories you need each day.
2.Remember eat your fruits and vegetables ! You must have at least five servings of them per day doing this will put you on track fast safe diet to a healthy body, because fruits and vegetables have beneficial fibers, vitamins safe dieting pills and antioxidants. Fill the stomach as fast as you do not overeat and take in calories.
3.Monitor the amount of food you eat. Avoid fast safe diet high calorie foods and eat in small portions. A helpful tip is to chew your food slowly because this makes digestion easy on your body and will also be less likely to overeat .
4.Do not skip meals . When you want to lose weight, it can be tempting to starve yourself , but eat small amounts of food frequently healthy weight loss diet can fast safe diet help maintain a healthy, balanced calorie intake throughout the day. In addition, the level of sugar in the blood can be affected by not commonly eaten . You can even devise safe dieting pills the standard allocation of three meals into five or six smaller meals.
Fruits and vegetables are packed 5 healthy weight loss diet .Fresh fast safe diet ideals and processed foods are high in sodium and fat. You are more likely to lose weight if you eat fresh, natural foods.
6.Do not limit your food intake too safe dieting pills .fast safe diet Go fast safe diet ahead and have fun, eat your favorite foods . It is normal to have that slice of birthday party cake from time to time . Make sure to eat in moderation and use those special desserts as rewards, instead of enemies , weight loss experience.fast safe diet
fast safe diet 7.Don " always believe everything you read fast safe diet on the food label . " Fat " does not necessarily mean low calorie. The same wisdom goes for foods that are " low sugar "or" low carbs . "Look on the nutrition label is not the calories .
8.Try to limit the number of juices and safe dieting pills sugary fast safe diet beverages you drink. Instead , drink eight glasses of water per day,safe dieting pills which removes toxins and waste from your body.
9.fast safe diet If can , keep a food diary . This will help you keep track of your calorie intake and will be a daily reminder of the types of food you need .
10.don Do not forget to exercise ! healthy weight loss diet Thirty to safe dieting pills sixty minutes of physical activity every day to achieve your health and help you fast safe diet lose weight (and not to mention , firm muscles ) . The weight bearing exercises are especially great ways to burn those pesky calories.
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