Have you ever wondered what your trainer has in their fridge? I have! After all, they are just human, surely? They appear super-human: being able to The Dark Side of Fat Loss work long hours in the gym, always able to lift heavy things, looking good, full of energy, happy, healthy, dealing with our constant emotions & helping us find our hidden potential; the list goes on. Surely they have a secret, right?
So what gives? How can they do it all? Simple. GOOD NUTRITION. By fueling your body with not only what it wants & what needs, you are ensuring the body is provided with an essential supply of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats & carbohydrates. After all, a balanced diet leads to a balanced lifestyle.
Recently I took advantage of having a peek in my trainers fridge and I believe it's something that is worthy of sharing. I mean, we are all curious aren't we? So, what did I find? And, for those of you that don't want to read between the lines, what didn't I find?!
Here's what I found
Meat
This isn't a surprise. Lamb, beef, chicken etc. There was meat. Of course, meat is a great source of protein & as our bodies are constantly using up proteins to build and grow, it is imperative that we continually replace it. So, if you are going to do it, you may as well do it properly. Protein from an animal source is generally a complete protein, meaning it contains the essential amino acids that the body needs. Furthermore, if you consume good quality organic grass fed meats, you're also going to get a nice clean source of saturated fat. Yes, that's right - these are the good fats, the ones that provide the body with slow burning and longer lasting energy, leaving us feeling full for longer with no nasty insulin spike.
Here's some food for thought! What you eat for breakfast sets up your neurotransmitter production for the day. By eating a fantastic breakfast of protein & fats (like meat & nuts or meat & avocado) you're setting yourself up for a fantastic day, not only with neurotransmitter function, but it also gets the body started on its natural daily detoxification process, sets up your metabolism & leaves you feeling full and satisfied for longer.
Fish
Again another great source of protein & fantastic for those days when you just don't feel like eating meat. What makes fish even better is it's omega-3 content. The brain comprises of over 60% fat, and of that more than half is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) omega-3 fatty acid. This explains why omega-3 has been given the name brain food & why a deficiency in omega-3 can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression and even Alzheimer's disease. Not only does consuming fish high in omega-3 make you feel better, it can also make you look better! Yep, omega-3 has the capacity to increase your insulin sensitivity. This means your body will be less prone to creating insulin after a meal & you will store less fat.
A word of warning with fish; Make sensible choices, unfortunately there is the dark side of mercury content. Mercury build up in your body can undo all the good work by slowing down your thyroid, and subsequently your metabolism. The best choices (with the lowest mercury content) when you feel a bit fishy are things like ocean trout, sardines, snapper, salmon and whiting. Try to avoid tuna, flake and barramundi.
Sauerkraut & Kefir
Your gut flora is responsible for all sorts The Dark Side of Fat Loss of things ranging from building immunity, aiding in the fermentation and absorption of carbohydrates & metabolic functions like synthesizing vitamins & metabolizing carcinogens. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut (vegetables) & kefir (a probiotic cultured milk drink) contain bacteria in the form of microorganisms. The beneficial enzymes & bacteria found in fermented foods are going to assist the body to effectively digest what you are eating, making it easier for the body to assimilate amino acids, simple sugars and fatty acids for the body to use more easily.
Eggs
Again, a great way to get your protein & your fats! Eggs are a fantastic protein source containing all essential amino acids, whilst the yolk gives you your source of good fats, as well as being a highly bio-available source of lutein & zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids, potent antioxidants that will assist in minimizing free radical damage & together they are great for your eyesight!
Now, before you have a 'Rocky' moment & down your eggs raw, a point you may want to consider - the absorption of the protein from the egg white by the body is significantly increased when the egg white is cooked. Why? Prior to cooking, the raw egg white contains avidin (a glycoprotein), which binds to the biotin in the yolk, preventing your ability to absorb The Dark Side of Fat Loss it. By cooking your egg, the heat process changes the structure of the avidin, making the protein more absorbable.
Another quick point about eggs; They need to come from a reputable source. It pays to buy your eggs from a farmers market, where you can ask what the hens have been fed. You want hens that aren't feeding on grains. Reason being, is that grains contain a significantly high amount of linoleic acid (omega-6) & subsequently the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the egg is going to be out of whack! If you're consuming lots of eggs, and aren't taking a good supplement for adequate omega-3, you may be increasing your risk of insulin resistance or heart disease.