Foods to help you get fit

Summer is just around the corner and we are sharpening up our workout plans to get our bodies ready for it! A healthy diet is not only essential to this process but for your overall heath, as it is filled with natural qualities that strengthen your body and keep you fit. Here are some super foods that you can easily incorporate into your diet.

To accumulate more stamina during your workouts have some oats, this complex carb digests slowly and gives you long-lasting energy keeping you fuller for longer. For a great filling breakfast and pre-workout snack try porridge with honey drizzled on top for taste. It has healing and endurance properties will help to improve your performance and speed up the post-exercise recovery process. Also add some fruit for a tasty twist! 

Beans are packed full of proteins that assist in muscle restoration and growth. So after a strength workout to heal those sore muscles quicker try a protein shake or a handful of black beans for a great nutritious snack. Other food rich in protein with fitness enhancing properties include fish like salmon and cod. Also try eating lean meat or an egg white omelette with spinach that is loaded with vitamins that will keep you energised, fuller for longer and reduce your urge to snack. Adding more vegetables to your diet, especially leafy greens will do wonders for your body. 

Avocados are a great source of essential healthy fats that will improve your heart health and lower cholesterol. These benefits are also found in wholegrain carbohydrates that provide a burst of energy to get you through your day and your workout. 

Fruits are not only a healthy snack but also help to fight against inflammation and soreness after exercise. Try grapes to kick-start the muscle repairing process faster, red cherries to soothe muscle soreness and blueberries to help keep you fit. Include dried fruits after exercise for their high sugar and carbohydrate content to quickly provide you with energy again.

Fruit juices are great too. Pomegranate juice after a workout aids in muscle recovery and also increases brain activity to keep you alert. That doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of other treats like dark chocolate which contains fibre, iron and other minerals. Try eating a few squares of dark chocolate for the perfect post-workout snack!

Paige Mavuala