You have to do what you can to reduce chronic stress. If you know the actual trigger, then you can concentrate on taking care of that. However, if you can’t get rid of the trigger for a while, such as with a stressful job you can’t leave yet, you have to work on the stress from other angles. Food is one such angle as nutrition plays a distinct role in controlling stress.

A Cup of Tea

Tea is one of the most notable stress-relieving foods, both in plain old cup form and in the form of matcha powder. Matcha may be one of the best foods you can have when you try to soothe stress because it contains higher concentrations of compounds that have been linked to stress relief. Of course, a cup of hot tea in your favorite flavor can be enough, too, as you relax for the few minutes it takes you to drink the tea. Some herbal teas, such as chamomile and commercial preparations for stress relief can work well, too; just be sure you don’t drive after consuming these teas as they can make you drowsy.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as Swiss chard and spinach contain the B-vitamin known as folate and the mineral magnesium. These both play a role in stress control. Magnesium is of particular interest because in general, people with more magnesium have lower markers for inflammation and stress.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts are nutritional powerhouses and contain B-vitamins, which help control stress. They also contain potassium, which helps control blood pressure and cardiovascular strain. And if you prefer seeds to nuts, sunflower seeds have high levels of vitamin E, which has been linked to mood and reducing feelings of depression.

Blueberries

Blueberries are very good for stress relief as well. Not only do they taste great, but they also have anti-inflammatory properties that protect you, and they may reduce damage to your body’s cells.

Whether you’re normally surrounded by difficult situations or have just had an incredibly tough time during the pandemic, stress is not really a healthy condition to be in. While there are some good forms of stress, such as the tension felt as you try to finish up a cherished project or compete in a race you’ve been training for, chronic stress can have adverse effects on you that create their own secondary problems.

Don’t fall into the trap of bingeing on comfort foods like mac and cheese or cake. These are nice when eaten in moderation, but they are very caloric and often don’t contain a lot of diverse nutrients as vegetables and nuts do. Consider using a meal service like Fit Five, which helps you save time while still getting the foods your body needs, rather than the comfort foods your stress wants. If you’re in the Birmingham area, give your health a boost with Fit Five’s prepared meals. We have new menus every week, and our meals are available at several locations around the region. Order ahead of time for twice-weekly pickup or use our Grab ‘n Go service for healthy food anytime. For more information please contact us today.

Gaining muscle mass and building strength begins at the gym, but it doesn’t end there. Your efforts to gain strength in your training routine should go hand-in-hand with your diet. However, between a busy lifestyle and hours spent in the gym, it can be difficult to make time to eat right. Fit Five Meals offers this guide to muscle mass and strength training to help you save time and focus on your nutritional gains.

Eat Protein

10 to 30% of your caloric intake should come from protein when you’re attempting to gain muscle mass and build strength. This equals 200 to 600 calories per day based on a 2,000 calorie diet. When you’re attempting to maintain muscle mass, fewer protein calories may be required. The Academy recommends focusing on lean, low-fat proteins such as seafood, poultry, and beans. You can also include three servings of low-fat dairy throughout the day.

Don’t Forget About Other Foods Too!

Protein is not the only food group that can help you in the gym. Carbohydrates, especially those from whole grains, can help you have more energy in the gym. When your body burns energy from carbs, it converts that energy into glycogen, which is stored in muscles. Glycogen can help you get more out of your workouts in the gym! According to one study, glycogen is key in sustaining your athletic performance for periods of one hour or more.

Is Fat Ok?

Yes! Although health experts recommend sticking to lean and low-fat foods, fat is critical to sustaining long-term performance and building muscle mass. That doesn’t mean you have to go out of your way to eat fast food. Instead, you can get healthy, or “unsaturated,” fats from what you are already eating. Foods with healthy fats include olive oil, avocados, peanut butter, nuts, and fish. There will be some overlap between your protein and unsaturated fat intake, especially if you prefer a vegetarian, vegan, or pescetarian diet.

Some unhealthy or “saturated” fat is ok too, including high-fat animal products such as butter, milk, yogurt, and meat. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Mayo Clinic, these foods can consist of seven to 10% of your daily caloric intake.

Quick Guide

Protein, including unsaturated fats: 25-30%

Carbohydrates: 10-30%

Fruits and vegetables: 10-30%

Saturated fats: 7-10%

How Fit Five Meals Can Help

Fit Five Meals are designed to help you meet your health and fitness goals by offering nutritional meals that supplement your lifestyle. No one wants to spend hours in the gym only to worry that they are not living their best life outside of it! If you do not have time to plan or prepare meals, FFM helps save time by offering convenient locations for you to pick up meals throughout the week. For example, you can choose five meals on Friday to pick up on Monday so you are prepared for the week ahead.

With our guide to muscle mass and strength building, you can have a better idea of what to choose for yourself and your family each week! For more help and information contact us today.

Ever wondered what foods you could eat to help you fight that sugar craving? There is nothing wrong with wanting a treat once in a while. However, a problem comes in when you cannot control these desires. Your diet is often responsible for this problem. Failing to eat enough calories can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels, causing you to want that treat. Alternatively, some people have nurtured this habit and cannot go for long without wanting something sugary. However, when addressing these cravings, it is critical to find healthy options. The following foods are worth considering when you are dealing with this problem.

1. Fruits

You can never go wrong with fruit. Besides, they come ready-made, which saves on time. The mix of healthy sugars, high nutrition, antioxidants, fats, and fiber will offer you unlimited benefits. You can have your pick of the bunch depending on which ones you are most receptive to. However, it is advisable to go for ones with high sugar content, like mangoes or pineapples. This option comes with the bonus of making milkshakes or putting your fruit in yogurt, dealing with both hunger and sugar cravings.

2. Legumes

This item is probably your least expected. However, those peas, beans, and lentils go a long way in providing your body with essential nutrients and proteins. Besides, they also have a filling effect to help you deal with those sugar and carbs cravings.

3. Sweet Potatoes

How can we forget this heaven-sent option? Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious and filling. Therefore, if you have not had a meal, this option would help you deal with this problem whilst also helping you deal with that itching desire for sugar.

4. Trail Mix

Here is another time-saving and healthy option. The mix of dried fruit and nuts ensures you get a rich source of nutritional value in addition to dealing with that desire for sugar. This option is suitable for people who want to get more nuts in their diet. It is also a nice treat that will not leave you feeling too full.

5. Snack bars

These are also one of the most convenient foods you can use to deal with sugar cravings. However, you should opt for sugar-free and healthier brands. This option lets you deal with the desire on the go, which is very convenient.

6. Experiment with Milk and Yogurt

Milk is highly nutritious, while yogurt is a good source of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, getting more of these two in your diet would be healthy. However, why stop there when you can make it sweeter and deal with that sugar craving too? For example, you can use fruit and berries to make smoothies. Alternatively, you can freeze them in the yogurt to make your custom “froyo” with a fruity twist. You can also add honey as a source of nutritious sweetness.

Finding wholesome ways to deal with sugar cravings helps to optimize your health. Of course, you can give yourself a treat occasionally. However, always opt for healthier options most of the time. Here at Fit Five, we serve foods that address your sugar cravings whilst also being healthy and wholesome. Visit our online shop and order now.

Good nutrition is fundamental for good health and high performance among athletes. Their level of physical exertion means that they need to approach their diets tactfully. Similarly, athletes of different ages have varied energy requirements. For example, active teen athletes will require more calories to help them sustain their high performance while supporting their growth needs. The first step is maintaining a balanced diet comprising a proper ratio of macronutrients, carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins, and micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins. In more advanced settings, these options are balanced according to the individual’s needs. Knowing what foods to eat can help save time by letting athletes choose what to eat with ease. The following five foods are necessary for these athletes.

1. Vegetables

Vegetables are vital and should be well represented on an athlete’s plate. These foods are high in fiber, vitamins like A, C, E, K, and B6, and minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iron. Some of these nutrients are essential for protecting the body against inflammation, and others like iron are essential for blood production and thus oxygen circulation. Some vegetables that should be commonplace on an athlete’s plate include spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, beetroots, artichokes, red cabbage, and eggplant.

2. Fruits

An athlete should ensure that fruits are a staple on their grocery list. Different fruits contain different macronutrients and micronutrients. For example, oranges and strawberries contain vitamin C, essential for boosting the immune system, reducing the stress from performing exercises, and holding bones and muscles together. Other fruits like bananas contain easily digestible carbohydrates and potassium that are highly beneficial, especially for pre-workouts. Low potassium levels in the body could lead to weak muscles, cramps, muscle paralysis, and fatigue. Another fruit essential for athletes is raisins, which provide a natural alternative to glucose gel and sport gel supplements. They are an excellent natural source of potassium, iron, and fiber. Other fruits to consider include avocados, grapes, and plums.

3. Eggs

Eggs are one of the best sources of protein for athletes. Eggs contain vitamins like A, B2, B6, D, B12, D, E, K, selenium, and lecithin minerals such as zinc, iron, and copper. Eggs also have betaine and choline that can help an athlete maintain a healthy heart. Popular eggs include chicken eggs, quail eggs, and duck eggs. Free-range or organically raised chickens provide more enriched and quality eggs that would be beneficial to athletes.

4. Grains

Fiber-rich whole grains are compulsory in the diet of an athlete. This type of food can help significantly improve cholesterol levels while reducing risks associated with obesity, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, some whole grains contain essential amino acids and other minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron. Examples of grains that fall in this category include amaranth, teff, oats, brown rice, barley, whole wheat, sorghum, corn, and rye.

5. Healthy Fats

Not all fats are unhealthy. For example, unsaturated fats help lower harmful cholesterol levels, reducing their adverse health effects. In addition, these healthy fats are necessary for optimal body function. Therefore, athletes should eat foods that contain this essential element. Some of these healthy fats include Avocado oil, Salmon fish oil, olive oil, and oil from nuts.

An athlete’s nutrition significantly affects their performance. However, rarely do people have the time to investigate and organize diets that meet their dietary needs. Fit Five offers athletes an opportunity to save time when planning their nutritional needs. In addition, the different meal packs and delivery services mean that athletes can access healthy diets conveniently. To find out more about our meal plans, get in touch with the Fit Five team today.